2023/2031(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the main challenge is to reduce the current dependence with regard to critical raw materials;

2023/06/29
Committee: INTA

2023/2031(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

1. Calls for the creation of a sustainable mining model, exercising due diligence right across the supply chain and organising working conditions in accordance with ~~the~~ high~~est~~ standards of health, safety and remuneration based on the economic situation of the country in question;

2023/06/29
Committee: INTA

2023/2031(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that this model must take account of the needs of local populations, ensure compliance with all ILO conventions and reduce its direct and indirect impact on the environment in the area of exploitation, using the most innovative methods available;

2023/06/29
Committee: INTA

2. Supports, in the absence of a global carbon price and a multilateral solution, a market-based EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) covering imports from countries not subject to a equivalent carbon trading scheme; on condition that it is compatible with EU free trade agreements (FTAs) and WTO rules (by being non- discriminatory and not constituting a disguised restriction on international trade), and that it is proportionate, based on the polluter pays principle and fit for purpose in delivering the climate objectives;

2020/11/03
Committee: INTA

2020/2043(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for thorough impact assessments and for the utmost transparency of the process leading to the CBAM, as well as engagement with WTO and the EU’s trading partners to build coalitions and avoid any possible retaliations;

2020/11/03
Committee: INTA

2020/2043(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that many carbon- and trade- intensive industrial sectors could potentially be impacted by the CBAM, either directly or indirectly, and that it could influence supply chains; emphasises therefore, that any CBAM design should be a complementary measure to the existing carbon leakage measures to better control the cost impact and to safeguard the EU industrial sectors’ global level playing-field vis a vis third country competition with non-equivalent CO2 reduction targets and costs; stresses that any CBAM should be easy to administer anshould not place ~~an undu~~excessive financial and administrative burden on enterprises, especially small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) and should not harm competitiveness of EU businesses and industries at a global stage.

2020/11/03
Committee: INTA

2019/2210(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

2. Recalls that the EU is the main trade partner of the Western Balkan countries and that bilateral trade doubled between 2006 and 2016; notes~~, however, that the EU continuously runs an unsustainable trade surplus with the Western Balkans~~ that this trade expansion has overall been to the benefit of the Western Balkan partners as in the last 10 years, the region increased its exports to the EU by 130% against a more modest increase of EU exports to the region of 49%;

2020/02/27
Committee: INTA

2019/2210(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Demands strong integration efforts in order to support Western Balkan countries in promoting improvement of the rule of law, democracy ~~and~~, human rights ~~so as to~~and fight against corruption, so as to improve business environment, enhance economic competitiveness, budgetary balance and structural reform;

2020/02/27
Committee: INTA

2019/2210(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Reminds the Western Balkan countries of the importance of regional economic cooperation, wider market environment and good neighbourly relations;

2020/02/27
Committee: INTA

2019/2210(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Requests that the Commission provide further technical support to the Western Balkans, especially its private sector, to improve the external investment framework, in particular in the areas of predictability and investor protection;

2020/02/27
Committee: INTA

2019/2210(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines that energy industries in the Western Balkans remain defined by outdated infrastructure, the overwhelming dominance of coal and hydropower, urges the Western Balkan countries to stick to projects in the energy sector which reduce energy poverty, increase energy efficiency and security and help to meet climate objectives and are aligned with EU environmental legislation;

2020/02/27
Committee: INTA

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 5

~~– having regard to the Commission’s Trade for All Strategy,~~deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 6

– having regard to the Commission’s Sector Guides on Implementing the UNGPs1 , _________________ 1 https://ec.europa.eu/anti- trafficking/publications/european- commission-sector-guides-implementing- un-guiding-principles-business-and-hum- 0_endeleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 7

~~– having regard to the Commission staff working document of 14 July 2015 on Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – State of Play (SWD(2015)0144),~~deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 8

– having regard to the Opinion of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) entitled “Improving access to remedy in the area of business and human rights at the EU level”2 , _________________ 2 FRA Opinion - 1/2017 [B-HR].deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 9

– having regard to the UN Human Rights Council resolution 26/9 of 26 June 2014, whereby it decided ‘to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights, whose mandate shall be to elaborate an international legally binding instrument to regulate, in international human rights law, the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises’,deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 16

~~– having regard to its resolution of 13 March 2018 on gender equality in EU trade agreements4 , _________________ 4~~deleted Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0066.

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft motion for a resolution
Citation 20

~~– having regard to resolution of 14 February 2017 on the revision of the European Consensus on Development8 , _________________ 8~~deleted Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0026.

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 21

~~– having regard to its resolution of 14 December 2016 on the Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 20159 , _________________ 9~~deleted Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0502.

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 22

~~– having regard to its resolution of 22 November 2016 on increasing the effectiveness of development cooperation10 , _________________ 10 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0437.~~deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 23

~~– having regard to its resolution of 25 October 2016 on corporate liability for serious human rights abuses in third countries11 , _________________ 11 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0405.~~deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 24

~~– having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2016 on the fight against trafficking in human beings in the EU’s external relations12 , _________________ 12~~deleted Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0300.

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 26

~~– having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2015 on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014 and the European Union’s policy on the matter13 , _________________ 13~~deleted Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0470.

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 27

– having regard to the question to the Commission on the EU’s input to a UN Binding Instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with transnational characteristics with respect to human rights (O-0000/2018 – B8-0000/2018),deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Citation 28

~~– having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on Development,~~deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital B

B. whereas development should go hand-in-hand with social ~~justice~~progress and good governance, and whereas development, trade and human rights can have an impact on each other and may reinforce each other;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas trade and investment contribute significantly to development, wealth creation, decent jobs and inclusive and sustainable growth;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas global supply chains most often have a positive impact on local working conditions by setting higher standards;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas OECD studies suggest that to the extent that trade itself raises per capita income, it advances both working conditions;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital D

D. whereas States should ~~set out clearly the expectation that all business enterprises domiciled in their territory and/or jurisdiction respect human rights throughout their operations~~fulfil their human rights obligations within their territory and/or jurisdiction;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights endorsed by consensus in the Human Rights Council remain the authoritative framework for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activity;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital E

E. whereas the UNGPs apply to all States and to all business enterprises, both transnational and others, regardless of their size, sector, location, ownership and structure and are grounded in recognition of the following: States’ existing obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms; the role of business enterprises as specialized organs of society performing specialized functions, required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights; and the need for rights and obligations to be matched to appropriate and effective remedies when breached; whereas available evidence suggests that where the UNGPs are implemented, the incidence of corporate related human rights harm is reduced;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital G

G. whereas corporations are one of the major players in economic globalisation, financial services and international trade and are required to comply with all applicable laws and international treaties in force, and to respect human rights; whereas these business enterprises as well as national corporations may at times cause, or contribute to human rights violations, and whereas they may also have an important role to play in offering positive incentives in terms of promoting human rights, democracy, environmental standards and corporate social responsibility;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas corporations are more and more willing to support corporate social responsibility initiatives; whereas companies are progressively integrating CSR into their strategies, not because they are forced to do so but because they believe in the benefits of doing so;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas the major problem lies not so much in the governance gap at the international level but in the lack of capacity at the national level to effectively implement and enforce laws;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Recital H b (new)

Hb. whereas inappropriate working conditions and negative impacts on the environment are often due to a high level of informality, in effective governmental inspections, a lack of government frameworks, high levels of corruption, ineffective judiciary systems at national level and lack of information about workers’ rights;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 3

3. Strongly supports the full implementation of the UNGPs, unanimously endorsed by the Council in June 2011 and calls on the EU and Member States to elaborate and adopt an EU, respectively national action plans that set out clear expectations for governments and all types of business enterprises for the swift, effective and comprehensive implementation of the said Principles;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 4

4. ~~Considers it regrettable~~Notes that a global approach to the way in which transnational corporations abide by human rights law is still lacking;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on national governments to reinforce their efforts to ensure, through judicial, administrative, legislative or other appropriate means, that when human abuses occur within their territory and/or jurisdiction, those affected have access to effective remedy;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 6

~~6. Considers it necessary to establish primacy of human rights in international law through a clear system whereby human rights obligations take precedence over other types of conflicting obligations;~~deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 7

7. ~~Warmly welcom~~Notes in this context the work initiated in the United Nations through the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) to create a binding UN instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights and considers this to be a step forward in the promotion and protection of human rights;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses that it is crucial to define objective, scope, content and limits of the negotiated binding UN instrument;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 8

~~8. Regrets any obstructive behaviour in relation to this process and to the sessions of the IGWG;~~deleted

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Paragraph 10

10. Stresses the importance of the EU and its Member States being actively involved in this intergovernmental process;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2656(RSP)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Calls on the EU to ensure~~Reminds that the European Union has observer status in the United Nations as a non-state participant and that any revision or future strategy document linked to the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy ~~include clear objectives and measurable benchmarks for EU’s~~should be considered by Member States in this context of inclusion in participation in ~~the~~ UN treaty negotiations;

2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE

2018/2107(INI)

Sajjad KARIM, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the key objectives of the 2012 GSP reform were to better focus on countries in need - the least developed countries (LDCs) and other low and lower-income countries, further promote the core principles of sustainable development and good governance, and enhance stability and predictability and improve certainty for business operators;

2018/12/19
Committee: INTA

2018/2107(INI)

Sajjad KARIM, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses in this context the importance of a business to business approach; calls for the setting up of sectorial, multi-stakeholder platforms and online facilities, bringing together export companies from GSP beneficiary countries, import companies in the EU and potential new comers on both sides- those who are currently not exporting or not importing, in order to exchange best practices and to raise awareness of the GSP rules, conditions and economic perspectives it offers;

2018/12/19
Committee: INTA

2018/2107(INI)

Sajjad KARIM, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses the need for amaintaining the current targeted approach for the withdrawal of preferences and that such withdrawal could be limited to specific sectors; calls on the Commission to bring forward new proposals on possible graduated withdrawals of trade preferences or other time bound withdrawal measures;

2018/12/19
Committee: INTA

2018/2107(INI)

Sajjad KARIM, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Encourages GSP beneficiary countries to introduce effective measures aimed at product diversification; underlines in this sense the need to create access to knowledge and technology to diversify products so the exports can sustain themselves in global competition, particularly in Europe;

2018/12/19
Committee: INTA

2018/2107(INI)

Sajjad KARIM, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Calls on GSP beneficiary countries to put in place and effectively implement legal measures to protect intellectual property;

2018/12/19
Committee: INTA

2018/2107(INI)

Sajjad KARIM, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the effect that the GSP has had on ~~private corporations’~~voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives to adopt cleaner and safer technologies, and the direct positive impact thereof on workers and the environment; takes the view that measures to further encourage this development should be planned;

2018/12/19
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Association Agreement (AA) between the European Union (EU) and Central America (CA) was the first region-to-region AA concluded by the EU and is based on three complementary parts, namely political dialogue, cooperation, and trade; whereas the trade part of the AA (Part IV) was quite broad and ambitious when it was negotiated, but retrospectively lacks updated provisions on, inter alia, gender and trade, digital trade, procurement, investment, anti-corruption or SMEs;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas Central America is a relatively small market with almost 43 million inhabitants and accounts for 0.25% of global GDP;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. stresses that in the past 15 years Central American countries have been more open to trade than other countries with the same level of income; underlines however that imports continue to be the main source of trade with other countries;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas the most important markets for Central America is the region itself, the Central American Common Market represents the second largest trade partner for most countries in the region, accounting for 26% of all exports;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the implementation of the EU’s trade agreements is a key priority for the Parliament, Council and the Commission in order to monitor, assess and calibrate the EU’s Common Commercial Policy (CCP); whereas reporting on the implementation of the AA with CA is a timely and useful contribution to the reflection on ~~the future of Europe~~its possible modernisation;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that the main products exported by CA to the EU are still heavily concentrated in the primary sector and in relatively low value added products such as textiles, coffee, sugar, car parts or shrimps, while the main products exported by the EU to CA are machinery and appliances, products of the chemical or allied industries and transportation equipment; notes, however, that the AA is starting to contribute to the modernisation and diversification of exports from CA with more value-added, such as needles, prosthetic devices and medical devices, and to an increase in exports of Fair Trade and organic certified products;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Highlights that corruption is a non-tariff barrier that increases businesses operational difficulties and hampers the wider business environment; calls on the Commission to use this agreement to monitor domestic reform in our partner countries in relation to the rule of law and good governance and to come up with effective anti-corruption measures;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Emphasises that fair and transparent opening of public procurement markets in CA are essential to ensure a level playing field for businesses; is concerned that procurement markets in CA could be opened further at the central government and regional government level;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11c. Views a significant hindrance to investment in CA to be intra-regional non-tariff measures; urges the Commission to ensures CA countries facilitate improved investment conditions and the local business environment for European investors that can improve employment and infrastructure and address the significant development needs of the region;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses that recent political and economic developments in some Central American countries can have ~~a negative impact on~~economic implications that negatively affect the region as a whole and might lead to the destabilisation of the region;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2106(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Urges Austria, Belgium~~, Greece and the United Kingdom~~ and Greece to ratify the AA, and reiterates the importance of full application of the other parts of the AA, including cooperation as regards economic and trade development (Article 52 and others); notes that the AA proceeded through the United Kingdom Parliament in July and that the remaining formalities will be completed by the end of November;

2018/10/18
Committee: INTA

2018/2084(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Stresses that trade liberalization and global competition act over the long run as an engine for economic growth; stresses equally that progressive integration of developing countries into global value chains has significantly contributed to its wealth creation and poverty reduction;

2018/09/03
Committee: DEVE

2018/2084(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls, however, that trade liberalisation ~~is not positive, per se,~~can have negative effects in terms of reducing poverty and inequalities, and ~~that it can even have negative effects~~ on sustainable development in general if it is not ~~properly regulated~~based on global rules; underlines, in this context, the potential of the WTO as an efficient rules-based multilateral negotiating forum which provides a platform for open discussion on global trade-related issues and is set to contain trade disputes and effectively deal with unfair competition; insists that the EU should continue to promote the ~~democratisation~~reform of the WTO;

2018/09/03
Committee: DEVE

2018/2084(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for a trade agenda based on ~~fair trade for the benefit of all~~multilateral rules-based system, which puts development and social, environmental and human rights at the centre of the process and has a special focus on the needs of low-income developing countries and least-developed countries;

2018/09/03
Committee: DEVE

2018/2084(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Insists that the WTO should clearly recognise the primordial role that trade ~~can~~ plays in contributing to the achievement of the SDGs and the fight against climate change, using the Paris Agreement commitments as a minimum benchmark;

2018/09/03
Committee: DEVE

2018/2084(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Is concerned, in the above context, that bilateral and plurilateral trade agreements could lead to the fragmentation of international trade policy and thus undermine the role of the WTO; c~~Calls, therefore, for the EU and its Member States to make additional efforts to once again place the WTO at the centre of global trade governance;

2018/09/03
Committee: DEVE

2018/2046(BUD)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Reitera~~Notes wit~~s rejection of~~h concern the use of development funds for non-development objectives such as border management or military capacity building and underlines that funding that does not fulfil official development assistance (ODA) criteria must be sourced from other instruments than the DCI and/or EDF;

2018/07/19
Committee: DEVE

2018/2046(BUD)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises that the Union and its Member States must honour their collective commitment, confirmed in 2015, to raise their ODA to 0,7 % of their GNI by 2030; calls on the Commission and the Member States to present ~~binding~~ timelines for progressive increases towards this level; calls the Member States to exclude the in donor costs out of the ODA calculation;

2018/07/19
Committee: DEVE

2018/2046(BUD)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Given the dramatic situation in the field of humanitarian aid, insists to mobilise more funds from the emergency aid reserve; reiterates that education plays a key role in preventing man-made humanitarian crises by avoiding conflicts and welcomes that already a significant amount of humanitarian aid is spent on education in emergencies; calls~~, howev~~ for greater, f~~or a steady increase of this share~~lexibility and responsiveness when mobilising and adjusting emergency aid funds to rapidly deal with new humanitarian emergency situations;

2018/07/19
Committee: DEVE

2018/2046(BUD)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls that the effects of climate change have a tangible impact on several aspects of human life and are increasingly being felt in the development countries; calls for ~~an increased allocation~~better support in climate action, which ~~better reflects the strong commitment to and increased engagement in climate diplomacy in order to tackle climate change~~is coherent with the engagement of the Union and the Member States as regards climate change; calls to support communities in the development of preventive and resilience-building measures against natural disasters.

2018/07/19
Committee: DEVE

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the EU Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru (the Agreement) is a rules-based relationship, anchored on common values and international standards for sustainable development, that has the potential of having a strong positive impact on the socio-economic development of the parties to the Agreement, on economic integration, on sustainable development, on further cooperation on regional and global issues and on bringing the countries and their citizens closer together;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Peru is one of the fastest growing and open economies in the region with trade representing 44% of GDP, whereas Colombia is a third largest economy in Latin America with expected accelerated economic growth over 2019- 2020;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is of the opinion that the Agreement is an opportunity to foster the peace agreement in Colombia and that it will deliver soon its peace dividend in terms of economic and social development; stresses in this context that 1 to 2% of GDP growth is estimated in addition as a result of peace;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that the Agreement has contributed to the modernisation and diversification of exports from Colombia and Peru ~~and that it has had a positive impact on Colombian and Peruvian SMEs~~driven mostly by Colombian and Peruvian SMEs; stresses, however, that more needs to be done in terms of diversification of exports from traditional mineral, oil and agricultural products to the export of processed goods and products with greater added value;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Urges both sides to boost the implementation rate and awareness of the agreement; Takes the view that many SMEs in the EU are not aware of the opportunities that the Agreement brings; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to study the preference utilisation rate of SMEs in particular, and to take effective steps to better communicate the opportunities and benefits offered by the Agreement;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point c a (new)

(ca) lack of transparency in administrative procedures;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Insists that corruption constitutes one of the most important non trade barriers hampering the business environment and increasing operational difficulties faced by businesses, calls on the Commission to use this agreement to monitor domestic reform in our partner countries in relation to the rule of law and good governance and to come up with effective anti-corruption measures;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Expresses i~~Insists con~~cerns over~~ the effective implementation ~~in Peru~~ of certain aspects of the chapter on trade and sustainable development (TSD) with regard to both labour and environmental provisions in Peru, and especially as regards the implementation of ILO conventions 87 and 98, ~~which are fundamental~~in this context welcomes the fact that Peru has taken the Presidency this year of the Council Administration of the ILO, which commits Peru even more to lead as an example in respecting labour laws; stresses equally that on the 6th of August Peru ratified the Framework Agreement between Peru and ILO on the promotion of decent work 2018-2021;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2010(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Is concerned that Peru has exceeded the threshold under the Banana Stabilisation Mechanism of the Agreement and calls for analysis of the effect it has on markets in the European Union;

2018/10/16
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 12 December 2017 on towards a digital trade strategy,

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Bernd LUCKE, Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that trade is not an end in itself, but that an inclusive, free and fair trade policy aligned with the SDGs can contribute to poverty eradication provided trading partners ensure property rights, the rule of law and competitive markets; recalls the principle of policy coherence for development, requiring that the objectives of development cooperation be taken into account in policies that are likely to affect developing countries; calls on the EU to systematically evaluate the impact of its trade policies on developing countries;

2018/06/28
Committee: DEVE

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas ‘~~open~~free and fair trade’ and investment policies need a range of effective flanking policies in order to maximise the gains and minimise the losses of ~~trade liber~~globalisation for the EU and for third countries’ populations and economies;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Bernd LUCKE, Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates the importance of the multilateral rules-based order as the most effective way to achieve an inclusive global trading system; emphasises the importance of ~~comprehensiv~~adequate provisions on social, labour and environmental standards in trade agreements; welcomes the Commission’s commitment to include a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development in all trade agreements;

2018/06/28
Committee: DEVE

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that in the course of globalisation, ~~internation~~global value chains have emerged; points out that these value chains cre~~structure the international division of labour as well as the interdependence of countries~~ate new interdependences, with dispersed production processes, and goods and services traded in fragments; notes that the successful integration of businesses in global value chains is of key importance for their integration in a globalised economy;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that the benefits of globalisation are unequally distributed between regions and within societies; notes that this is a reason for the rising scepticism or rejection of globalisation within societies; notes that the financial and economic crises had a particularly negative effect on mid-range incomes; expresses the view that the combination of a declining middle class, citizens’ fears over losing their social and economic position, and scepticism towards globalisation, can result in naprotectionalist ~~and authoritarian tendencies, which then lead to the promotion of protectionism as an easy answer to comm~~practises that can have an inverse reaction in economies that are increasingly reliant on feach others;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Bernd LUCKE, Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Strongly supports the further mainstreaming of digital technologies and services in the EU’s development policy; calls on ~~the Commission to increas~~Member States and on the Commission to reshape their ODA such that more investments in developing countries' digital infrastructure i~~n the Global South~~s encouraged.

2018/06/28
Committee: DEVE

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes ~~that the~~a shift in economic importance ~~of China and other Southeast Asian countries is growing significantly; underst~~towards the Asia Pacific region; stresses that increasing trade and investment flows within this region, ands th~~at this leads to a relative loss of importance for the present global economic centres of Europe and North America~~e ability of Asian economies to advance regional trade agreements is an important commitment to trade liberalisation, and gives them growing influence over the rules-based trading system;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Notes that globalisation led to a faster and wider spread of technology and innovation, and that technology can be a key enabler of trade; highlights that the EU has yet not delivered on a digital trade strategy, and addressed the benefits that the internet and digital ledger technologies can bring to international trade;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that increasing protectionism in the United States and beyond, as well as the lack of consideration for the needs and expectations of developing countries in international agreements, shows the weakness of the WTO; underlines the lack of integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the world trade agendat practises are counterproductive and distort global value chains; notes the detrimental effect this has on the multilateral trading system by bringing unilateral action to problems that should be addressed between partners; stresses that this weakens the role of the WTO;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes the importance of ~~engaging in the restructuring of the world economic order and of respecting the need~~shaping globalisation while taking into account the needs and expectations of developing countries~~, while~~ and smaller economies; stress~~ing~~es that t~~he aim of fulfilling the SDGs and the conditions of the Paris Agreement must provide the overarching framework~~rade policy can support the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and that policy coherence for development is of utmost importance to achieve this;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Notes that strengthening the EU’s internal market ~~as well as consolidating the economic union~~ is vital, since a solid internal market is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of international strategies; points out that being internationally competitive depends strongly on shaping digitalisation successfully and in a socially responsible manner; notes th~~at the shift to renewable energies needs to happen as soon as possible~~e importance of achieving renewable energy targets;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Asks the Commission to ~~create a European trade strategy for SMEs in order to~~use the means available to support the integrateion of SMEs into ~~internation~~global value chains and overcome trade-specific hurdles such as non-tariff barriers; points out that access to information is one of the biggest obstacles to the market participation of SMEs, meaning that transparency and support need to increase;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Notes that the recent reform of EU trade defence instruments must be checked regarding its capacity as a protective measure against arbitrary protectionism, on top of its ability to protect against dumping;deleted

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

~~10. Notes that, as a reply to globalisation-induced job losses, a reform of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund is needed;~~deleted

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to meet scepticism towards globalisation with ~~a credible initiative on transparency~~transparent practices;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Commission to ~~include sustainability-related measures in every chapter of trade agreements and not to reduce them to one toothless~~pursue a rules-based trade policy that includes Trade and Sustainable Development(TSD) chapters in FTAs, which contribute to support and promote international conventions on social, labour and human rights, and multilateral environmental agreements; notes that the application of these binding and enforceable provisions must be appropriately monitored in order to launch government consultation procedures and trigger the special dispute resolution mechanisms, if needed, as established within the framework of TSD chapters;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Asks the Commission to pursue an ambitious trade policy, and maintain an open investment environment; adds that the ratification of concluded and signed trade agreements should take place swiftly in order to uphold commitments to our partners;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Calls on the Commission to include rules relating to digital trade in EU FTAs, including cross-border data flows to demonstrate that trade in digital goods and services can bring real benefit to businesses and consumers;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12c. Calls on the Commission to assess how Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) and blockchain can be used to enhance international trade, and address issues such as transparency, flexibility, and tackle counterfeiting;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that impact assessments conducted before the start of negotiations must take their possible effects on the fulfilment of the SDGs into account; notes that national sustainability strategies and implementation plans for the Paris Agreement must form the starting point for impact assessments; points out that every single provision of an agreement and its possible impacts must be checked on its compatibility with the SDGs; notes that if parts of an agreement hamper the fulfilment of the SDGs or the Paris Agreement, adjustments must be made; notes that breaches of sustainability provisions must be counterweighted by corrective measures or lead to a sanction- based dispute settlement;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Points out that the ratification and implementation of the ILO’s core labour standards must be a pr~~econdition~~iority for the implementation of ~~any~~trade agreements; notes that organised civil society and social partners should be included in the formative stages of agreements, the implementation phase and the monitoring phase after implementation via bilateral meetings with the negotiating partners; notes that in case of a breach of the sustainability provisions of an agreement, the dispute settlement mechanism must be accessible to civil society as well as the negotiating partners;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Asks the Commission to ~~meet the growing complexity of value chains and the increasing interdependence of producers with clear transparency and diligence obligations for the whole supply chain~~encourage due diligence and transparency by working with the private sector, and to promote these values internationally;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Highlights the importance of a stable multilateral rules-based trading system; asks the Commission to do all it can to engage with trade partners to advance issues pertaining to the multilateral trade agenda, and to strengthen the role of the WTO;

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/2005(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Notes that, in view of attacks on the multilateral world economic order, it is vitally important to preserve this order since any backsliding into protectionism would be damaging and would lead to trade war;deleted

2018/07/02
Committee: INTA

2018/0358M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas Vietnam’s infrastructure and investment needs massively exceed public funds currently available;

2019/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0356M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance and value of this agreement, as the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda and common values – to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

2019/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0356M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines the significance of the agreement in terms of competitiveness of EU businesses in the region; notes that European companies are facing increased competition from countries with which Vietnam has already free trade agreements, notably the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP);

2019/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0356M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that the agreement does not contain a specific SMEs chapter, different provisions on SMEs are however included in various parts of the agreement, stresses that implementation phase will be crucial for introducing concrete measures to boost utilisation rate of SMEs on both sides;

2019/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0356M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Acknowledges the significant decrease of the child labour in Vietnam in recent years and welcomes the commitment to child labour eradication by the Vietnamese government; reminds that Vietnam was the first country in Asia and second in the world to ratify the United Nations’ International Convention on the Rights of the Child;

2019/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0356M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Geert BOURGEOIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses that the involvement of civil society in monitoring the implementation of the agreement is crucial, and calls for the swift establishment of domestic advisory groups following the entry into force of the agreement and for the balanced representation of civil society therein; points out the importance of preparatory implementation works as new recommendations have been already communicated by civil society organisations to Vietnamese authorities;

2019/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0272M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the signature of the VPA with Vietnam, an agreement designed to bring a complete policy reform in the country aimed at the progressive cleaning illegally produced timber from the supply chains of Vietnamese operators; is aware that the full implementation of the VPA will be a long- term process entailing not only the adoption of a whole set of legislation (TLAS) but also ensuring that adequate administrative capacity and expertise for implementation and enforcement of the VPA is in place at national as well as provincial levels; recalls that FLEGT licencing can start only once Vietnam has demonstrated the readiness of its TLAS system;

2019/01/25
Committee: INTA

2018/0272M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Underlines positive developments related to FLEGT and the VPA process during the period of negotiations since 2010 such as consolidation of legislation and regulations, strengthening management and control exploitation of domestic natural forest or clarification of forest land use rights; stresses that Vietnam has recently adopted Forestry Law -which came into effect on 1st January 2019- the law prohibits import to Vietnam of illegally produced timber;

2019/01/25
Committee: INTA

2018/0272M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Acknowledges commitments made by Vietnam’s wood industry, to eliminate illegal timber from supply chains and raise awareness of these matters; stresses however that a shift in a mindset within the industry as well as robust enforcement is key;

2019/01/25
Committee: INTA

2018/0272M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Strongly condemns the illegal timber trade taking place across the Cambodian border and calls on the authorities of both countries to put an immediate and complete stop to the illegal flows; urges the Vietnamese authorities to investigate, remove from function and bring to justice those responsible for having authorised and managed the illegal trade from Cambodia and elsewhere; encourages the Vietnamese authorities to categorise timber from Cambodia as ‘high risk’ and to carefully consider the option of applying an import ban for Cambodia; calls on the two countries to foster and improve dialogue; calls on the Vietnamese authorities to apply the same measures to imports from other supplier countries where similar concerns exist or may arise, notably those in Africa; calls on the two countries to foster and improve dialogue and work together on effective and long term measures to combat rampant illegal logging and the cross border smuggling of timber to Vietnam;

2019/01/25
Committee: INTA

2018/0272M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Calls on the Vietnamese authorities to apply the same measures to imports from other supplier countries where similar concerns exist or may arise, notably those in Africa; stresses that imports of timber from Africa to Vietnam increased by over 40% in a year, while this timber is often from countries characterised by weak governance, high levels of corruption and even conflict, with widespread risks of illegality in their timber harvesting;

2019/01/25
Committee: INTA

2018/0256M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas on 10 December 2015 the first instance of the Court repealed the Council decision to conclude the Liberalisation Agreement; whereas the Council, unanimously on February 19, 2016, appealed this judgment;

2018/11/09
Committee: INTA

2018/0256M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the CJEU General Court in its judgment of 21 December 2016 determined that the Liberalisation Agreement did not provide explicitly a legal basis for Western Sahara to be included, and therefore could not apply to this territory;

2018/11/09
Committee: INTA

2018/0256M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Emphasises that a key criterion for Parliament is to ensure that there will be a mechanism in place to technically trace products from Western Sahara so that Member States customs authorities have a clear indication of their origin; calls on the EU and Morocco to swiftly present a viable solution to this end; expects the corrective measures laid down in the agreement to be used in that regardswiftly implement corrective measures laid down in the agreement which are dedicated to the exchange of data on products exported from Western Sahara to the EU;

2018/11/09
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

~~I. whereas it is arguable whether developed economies with properly functioning judiciary systems should need to avail themselves of investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms;~~deleted

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the EU’s new approach to investment protection and its enforcement mechanism (ICS), which has replaced the ~~highly controversial~~ investor- to-state dispute settlement (ISDS);

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that the agreement will ensure a high level of investment protection while safeguarding the Parties’ right to regulate and pursue legitimate public policy objectives, such as public health and environmental protection; it will ensure transparency and accountability;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the transparency rules applying to proceedings before the tribunals, ~~which~~case documents will be publically available and hearings will be held in public; believes that increased transparency will help to instil public trust in the system;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Underlines that forum shopping will not be possible and that multiple and parallel proceedings will be avoided;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Welcomes Singapore’s commitment to the multilateral investment court, a public international court which should be empowered to hear disputes on investments between investors and states that will have accepted its jurisdiction over their bilateral investment treaties~~, and whose ultimate goal is to overcome the current, unbalanced and fragmented investment protection regime~~; considers the agreement a crucial stepping stone towards that end;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights that the agreement will replace the existing bilateral investment treaties between 13 EU Member States and Singapore, which are based on outdated investment protection provisions and include the ~~controversial~~ ISDS; considers that this constitutes an important step in reforming global rules on investment dispute settlement and, it is hoped, will progressively lead to the removal of ISDS from bilateral investment treaties;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Regrets the lack of provisions on investors’ obligations, including binding corporate social responsibility standards; calls on the Commission to propose legislation laying down mandatory due diligence standards in sectors other than conflict minerals and timber, such as the garment industry;deleted

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0095M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Warmly welcomes the work initiated in the UN by the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights on the establishment of a binding UN instrument; calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to engage constructively in the negotiations;deleted

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the EU and Singapore share the same fundamental values, including democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, cultural and linguistic diversity and a strong commitment to open trade and the multilateral trading system;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas this is the first bilateral trade agreement concluded between the EU and an ASEAN member state and an important stepping stone towards a final objective of a region- to-region FTA; whereas the agreement will also serve as a benchmark for the agreements the EU is currently negotiating with the other main ASEAN economies;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

E a. whereas Singapore is a high- income economy with a gross national income of USD 52600 per capita as of 2017; whereas its economic growth has been amongst the world's highest, at average of 7,7 percent since independence,

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas Singapore ranks among the easiest countries in the world to do business with; is one of the world's most competitive economies and is one of the least corrupt worldwide;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

F a. whereas manufacturing, particularly in electronics and precision engineering sectors, and services sectors remain the twin pillars of Singapore's high value-added economy;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas more than 10 000 European companies have their regional offices in Singapore; whereas around 50 000 EU companies export to Singapore, of which 83 percent are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs),

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. whereas EUSFTA is likely to have very positive effect on trade and investment flows between the EU and Singapore, whereas a 2018 study prepared for the European Parliament estimates that, over the first five years, trade volumes between the EU and Singapore would grow by 10%;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Not~~Stresses that negotiations were originally concluded in 2012 and deeply regrets the long delay in bringing forward the agreement for ratification; calls therefore for speedy ratification process and its conclusion in the current parliamentary mandate so that the agreement enters into force as soon as possible;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of this agreement as it is a stepping stone for the region to region EU-ASEAN trade deal in the future, as Singapore is a hub for the entire ASEAN region and as this will avoid EU exporters being at a competitive disadvantage in respect of businesses from the other CPTPP and RCEP countries;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Underlines that the agreement will grant EU companies better access to the Singapore services market such as in financial, telecommunications, engineering, architectural services, maritime transport and postal services and that such liberalisation follows a ‘positive list’ approach;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Emphasises that this is a progressive trade agreement and that both Parties committed in the trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapter to ensure a high level of environmental and labour protection; notes that the agreement also includes a chapter on renewable energy generation;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. ~~Recall~~Notes that the EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) envisages the possibility for the EU to suspend the FTA in case of fundamental human rights violations by Singapore;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0093M(NLE)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Syed KAMALL, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Calls on the Commission to trigger the general review clause of the agreement as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability of labour and environmental provisions ~~including through a sanctions-based mechanism as a last resort~~;

2018/11/13
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

– having regard to the European Commission 15-point plan to make EU trade and sustainable development chapters more effective of 26 February 2018;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the implementation of the EU-Japan EPA will increase export opportunities for EU businesses, create greater competition, and boost economic growth, as well as bring advantages to consumers by lowering prices and increasing the consumer choice on goods and services;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes positively that Japan has addressed unnecessary non-tariff measures (NTMs) in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, food labelling and cosmetics; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with international standards used by EU car manufacturers; stresses that this reduces compliance costs for EU businesses who export to Japan, and creates a more predictable regulatory environment for EU agricultural exports by addressing sanitary and phytosanitary measures;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Highlights that more than two thirds of all Japanese-brand vehicles sold in the EU are manufactured in the EU, and that Japanese-brand vehicles made in the EU are exported to third countries; points out that the removal of tariffs can boost production and jobs;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat, beef and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications; points out that processed agricultural products such as pasta and chocolate will also enjoy duty-free entry to the Japanese market over a transitional period;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes the elimination of tariffs on industrial products for sectors in which the EU is highly competitive, such as chemicals, plastics, cosmetics as well as textiles and clothing;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; expects the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement; points out that the agreement stresses that labour and environmental standards cannot be relaxed or lowered to attract trade and investment;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progress on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions in accordance with the provisions of the EPA;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause ~~as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness~~if necessary in order to uphold the commitments made ofn labour and environmental provisions~~, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort~~;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, will give a boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives; notes that the EPA secures fairer treatment of EU service suppliers operating in Japan comparable to that of Japanese suppliers;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Welcomes the commitment of both the EU and Japan to work more closely together on developing international standards; points out that setting standards through regulatory cooperation is crucial as the EU and Japan account for more than 40% of global imports and exports;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism; notes that the EU has introduced the Investment Court System (ICS) in agreements with other partners;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Welcomes the publication of the draft adequacy decision on Japan, which established that Japan provides a comparable level of protection of personal data to that in the EU; stresses that the free flow of data across borders is a key enabler of the digital economy;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2018/0091M(NLE)

Syed KAMALL, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Notes that 78% of the EU companies exporting to Japan are SMEs and that lack of access to information represents a trade barrier, especially for small businesses; welcomes that both the EU and Japan committed to setting up a website which will provide specific information to SMEs on how to access their markets;

2018/10/03
Committee: INTA

2017/2282(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the far-reaching reforms already undertaken by Georgia; notes that further efforts should be encouraged, especially in the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (notably as regards institutional capacity-building in food safety control), public procurement, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property rights, legal and administrative burdens on businesses and customs services;

2018/05/04
Committee: INTA

2017/2282(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Notes with satisfaction that some new products have started to be exported to the EU, stresses however, that more export diversification is needed;

2018/05/04
Committee: INTA

2017/2282(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Supports continuous anti- corruption efforts, as Georgia is the 46 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries according to the 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International;

2018/05/04
Committee: INTA

2017/2282(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Encourages the Georgian authorities to develop and implement a comprehensive public awareness programme to ensure that businesses, SMEs, farmers and citizens in general are fully informed of the opportunities and benefits offered by the DCFTA and available support programmes;

2018/05/04
Committee: INTA

2017/2281(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that the ultimate objective of the DCFTA is to make tangible and sustainable improvements to the living conditions of ordinary citizens in Moldova as the country still remains one of the poorest in Europe;

2018/05/04
Committee: INTA

2017/2281(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Expects Moldova to continue its reform path not only in strictly trade- related areas such as restructuring of the financial and energy sector, but also in the rule of law, public administration, the justice sector, the management and efficiency of public finances, media freedom, gender equality and women empowerment and stepping up the fight against corruption, recalls equally the importance of effective implementation of newly introduced reforms and legal instruments;

2018/05/04
Committee: INTA

2017/2274(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that China is the EU’s second-largest trading partner and the EU is China’s largest trading partner, ~~and~~stresses constant growth in trade and notes that the trade balance has a significant deficit in China’s favour;

2018/05/02
Committee: INTA

2017/2274(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on the EU to re-think its approach towards China in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue taking into account growing economic and political importance and influence of China at a global stage;

2018/05/02
Committee: INTA

2017/2274(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Welcomes the 16+1 scheme as a new type of open, inclusive and mutually beneficial partnership;

2018/05/02
Committee: INTA

2017/2274(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for coordinated cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Initiative - crucial development focused initiative - on the basis of open and transparent rules, in particular regarding public procurement;

2018/05/02
Committee: INTA

2017/2083(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas exports from Africa are still dominated by unprocessed products, and whereas a high proportion of these exports are covered by trade preference arrangements ~~and have done nothing to boost industrialisation in the countries concerned~~;

2017/09/06
Committee: INTA

2017/2083(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Recital D

~~D. having regard to the failure of the Washington Consensus, which has not made Africa a player in global trade or eradicated poverty;~~deleted

2017/09/06
Committee: INTA

2017/2083(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Calls on the European Union to focus on supporting projects which will have an immediate impact on the creation of decent jobs, the fight against poverty, protection of the environment, improving the business climate, the management of public finances, transparency in the management of natural resources (in particular in mining and energy production), ~~and~~ the fight against corruption and illegal capital flows away from the continent and helping to create stability and security; stresses, in particular, EU initiatives focused on mobilizing the private sector which accounts for 90% of jobs in developing economies;

2017/09/06
Committee: INTA

2017/2083(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Urges the EU always to take account of the different levels of development among African countries and to support measures which enhance production and processing capacity, particularly in agriculture; stresses the necessity of labour shifts from unproductive traditional sectors such as subsistence farming into modern economic activities that add value to traded goods;

2017/09/06
Committee: INTA

2017/2070(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Emma McCLARKIN, David CAMPBELL BANNERMAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Points out that the Commission has announced on more than one occasion the launch of negotiations about investment with Hong Kong and Taiwan, and deems it regrettable that no such negotiations have yet begun; urges the Commission to finish the preparatory works to formally start negotiations on investment agreements as soon as possible;

2018/01/30
Committee: INTA

2017/2070(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Supports the continued efforts of the Commission in negotiating specific provisions designed to improve the ability of small and medium sized enterprises to engage in trade and investment; recognises the proliferation of integrated global supply chains in international trade patterns; asks the Commission to pursue a digital trade strategy that takes into account the opportunities it offers to small and medium sized businesses by facilitating access to global markets; recommends that this strategy should endeavour to improve connectivity and capacity-building for e-commerce, eliminating unjustified restrictions on cross-border data flows, providing that the adequate rules that promote open, trusted and secure digital trade are in place;

2018/01/30
Committee: INTA

2017/2070(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Encourages the Commission to advance the digital trade agenda in on- going and future FTA negotiations and at the WTO, as the organisation must continue to represent a flexible and dynamic forum for negotiations;

2018/01/30
Committee: INTA

2017/2070(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Commission to invest more human and financial resources in preparation of trade agreements for adoption by our co-legislators and in improving the way that trade policy is implemented, and asks that a special trade policy implementation monitoring unit be set up within the Commission;

2018/01/30
Committee: INTA

2017/2070(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Highlights the vital work done by Union delegations, in conjunction with Member State embassies and businesses, enabling swift and direct action to be taken to ensure that trade provisions are properly implemented and problems and obstacles quickly identified and effectively tackled; encourages the Commission and the EEAS to pursue their work in the field of economic diplomacy;

2018/01/30
Committee: INTA

2017/2070(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Highlights the fact that certain sectors may experience economic difficulties which are trade related; calls on the Commission and Member States to develop effective support policies in order to maximise the benefits and minimise the potential negative effects of trade liberalisation; ~~asks the Commission, in this context, to reinforce the effectiveness of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund;~~

2018/01/30
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Chile is one of South America's most stable, open and prosperous nations; it is an important regional player and it has been one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies in recent decades;

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the European Union is the third biggest trading partner of Chile, just after China and United States; whereas the EU is also one of the major donors in cooperation for development giving more than half of the Official Development Assistance (ODA);

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the current AA, including its trade pillar, was concluded in 20021 and has worked ~~well between the parties during its implementation since 2003~~very well since its implementation in 2003, it set a fast liberalisation agenda and generated many opportunities for growth and jobs on both sides, doubling trade in goods and seeing an increasing trade in services and investments2 ; considering, however, that both the EU and Chile have concluded more modern and ambitious trade agreements ever since; __________________ 1 http://eur- lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:f83 a503c-fa20-4b3a-9535- f1074175eaf0.0004.02/DOC_2&format=P DF 2 http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries- and-regions/countries/chile/

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the current AA lacks, among chapters, investment, and a trade and sustainable development chapter (TSDC);

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas any EU trade negotiation ~~must guarantee~~shall aim to the highest levels of social, labour and environmental protection achieved by the parties, and may serve as a tool to promote an agenda of social justice and sustainable development, both in the EU and throughout the world; whereas the modernisation of the AA should be seen as an opportunity for the EU and its Member States to further promote common high standards and commitments in their trade agreements, especially in the areas of labour rights, environmental protection, consumer rights and public welfare; ~~whereas a sanctions-based mechanism is needed to redress infringements effectively;~~

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c

(c) to consider it important and necessary to seek to modernise the EU- Chile AA to take into account the economic and political development over the last 15 years, in particular its trade component, in the spirit of reciprocity, mutual benefit and balance, and to note the consistent support for a modernisation expressed by the EU-Chile JPC, as well as the fact that the JCC welcomed the steps taken towards an update;

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d

(d) to recall that globalisation and trade policy have recently been subject to intense debate in Europe and elsewhere, because of the unequal distribution of its gains, and to consider that it is necessary to guarantee a more inclusive distribution of the benefits of trade and to provide adequate protection to those which may be disadvantaged in the process, while developing policy action in other spheres beyond the provisions of trade agreements themselves, going from industrial to fiscal and social policies;anticipate these trading trends and its possible consequences and develop primarily- at national levels- effective accompanying policies in order to provide adequate protection to those which may be disadvantaged in the process,

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p

(p) to mandate the inclusion of a tax good governance clause that reaffirms the parties’ commitment to implement international standards in the fight against tax evasion, avoidance ~~and elusion~~, and that includes ~~obligation~~requirements for country-by- country reporting, automatic exchanges of information and the establishment of public registers of beneficial ownership for business trusts;

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r

(r) to clearly spell out in the negotiating directives the requirement to commit the parties to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) ~~via binding standards~~, including with regard to internationally recognised instruments, and the uptake of sectorial OECD guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; to recall the need to respect and ensure the effective implementation of indigenous’ rights, including ILO standards on indigenous’ labour rights and the right to consultation with governmental authorities;

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w

(w) to consider that negotiations on investment may be an opportunity to make progress towards a necessary international reform of the dispute settlement regime, ~~to seek a commitment by all parties to put an end to investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS) based on ad hoc private arbitration,~~ and to replace it with a public investment court system (ICS) with an appeal mechanism, with a view to preserving the right to regulate to achieve legitimate public policy objectives, prevent frivolous litigation and guarantee all democratic procedural guarantees, such as the right to access to justice (with particular attention to SMEs), judicial independency, transparency and accountability, while pursuing the establishment of a multilateral investment court (MIC);

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x

(x) to ensure that the modernised AA contains a robust and ambitious TSDC ~~that includes binding and enforceable provisions, subject to dispute settlement mechanisms, with the possibility of imposing sanctions in case of breach~~; considers that the TSDC should cover, among other things, the parties’ commitment to adopt and maintain in their national laws and regulations the principles enshrined in core ILO conventions and to effectively implement up-to-date ILO instruments, especially the Governance Conventions, the Decent Work Agenda, ILO Convention n°169 on the rights of indigenous peoples, the Convention on Equal Opportunities and Equal Treatment for Men and Women Workers, the Convention on Domestic Workers, and the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, as well as labour standards for migrant workers;

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2057(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point y

(y) to ensure, with reference to the progress achieved by Chile in bilateral trade negotiations with Uruguay and Canada, that the parties include a specific chapter on trade and gender equality and women empowerment that specifically contains clear and measurable targets, beyond the adherence of the parties and their respect for international human rights, labour and social standards, foreseeing active measures aiming to enhance opportunities for women to benefit from the opportunities provided by the AA; ~~to ensure, inter alia, that the parties commit to collect disaggregated data allowing for thorough ex ante and ex post analysis on the impact of the modernised AA on gender equality,~~ to pursue an enhanced participation of women enterprises (particularly micro-enterprises and SMEs) in public procurement, building on the experience of the Chilean Ministry of Gender Equality which, in 2015, established a supporting program to strengthen women entrepreneurs’ participation as suppliers in the public procurement market of ‘Chile Compras’, to support the internationalisation of women enterprises and the participation of women in WTO Mode 4 opportunities; and to ensure that this chapter foresees the involvement of women organisations and gender equality experts in the negotiating teams, as well as in the JCC (foreseeing the development of innovative means of consultation, such as electronic discussions) and that it guarantees periodical substantial discussions on gender and trade, if necessary, with the establishment of a specific consultative subcommittee;

2017/06/27
Committee: INTA

2017/2036(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that EU foreign trade policy does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba, and that Cuba was removed from the list of countries benefiting from the EU’'s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), stresses furthermore that trade is only moderately important to Cuba's economy, the values of exports and imports taken together equals 26,4 percent of GDP;

2017/05/10
Committee: INTA

2017/2036(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation, private employment and overall market freedoms; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector;

2017/05/10
Committee: INTA

2017/2036(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalisation in general, underlines, however, that excessive bureaucracy and lack of regulatory transparency continue to limit trade and investment;

2017/05/10
Committee: INTA

2017/2036(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses that the Cuban economy is highly dependent on significant oil subsidies from Venezuela and on external assistance such as remittances from Cubans living abroad;

2017/05/10
Committee: INTA

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas trade policies should aim to ~~reduce socio-economic gaps between the Global North and the Global South in terms of development and wealth, and between women and~~ generate economic growth and wealth creation and contribute to women empowermen,t and ~~realis~~promote women’s rights by ensuring decent work conditions for women and contributing to sustainable and equitable economic development;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Insists that all EU trade agreements should include binding clauses on women’s rights, gender equality and gender mainstreaming, with an appropriate body appointed, or an explicit mechanism established, to monitor compliance;deleted

2017/10/12
Committee: DEVE

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the expansion of global trade, and integration of developing countries into global value chains in particular, has allowed many women workers to move from informal economy to the formal sector;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the progress made in recent years with the establishment of the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact¸ the EU Timber Regulation and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, and calls on the Commission to expand binding frameworks on due diligence obligations to other sectors in order to ensure that the EU and its traders and operators live up to the obligation to respect human rights and the highest social standards, including the ones related to gender equality.

2017/10/12
Committee: DEVE

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas these new trade related employment opportunities for women in developing countries contributed significantly to the household income and poverty reduction;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas private sector, civil society, particularly women’s rights organisations and trade unions, has the knowledge and potential to strengthen women’s economic empowerment;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas special attention must be given to ~~the~~potential negative consequences of trade liberalisation as regards basic public services and goods, such as water and sanitation, education and healthcare;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that fair and inclusive international trade policies require a clearer framework aiming to enhance women’s livelihoods, strengthen gender equality, protect the environment, and promote social ~~justice~~progress and international solidarity;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Underlines the urgent need to adopt gender-sensitive binding human rights regulations on an international level to regulate transnational companies (TNCs) and other companies; w~~Welcomes the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls for ~~binding~~effective measures to combat exploitation and improve working conditions for women in the export- oriented industries, in particular the garment and textile manufacturing and agriculture sectors where trade liberalisation has ~~contributed~~resulted in some cases to precarious labour rights and gender wage gaps;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Insists that ~~binding~~ instruments are needed in EU trade policy to ensure that decent work standards, women’s rights, human rights principles and environmental protection are at the core of all types of EU trade agreements and that EU trade policy is coherent with the Union’s overarching aims of sustainable development, poverty reduction and gender equality;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls on the Commission to reinforce corporate social responsibility and due diligence mechanisms in free trade agreements with a focus on upholding human rights and their social, labour, gender and environmental aspects;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Stresses the importance of implementation, enforcement or transposition of already existing legislation at regional, national and international levels;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for all EU trade agreements to include binding clauses, in the form of a stand-alone article, that promote and protect women’s rights, gender equality and gender mainstreaming, based on the Beijing Platform for Action and the SDGs, with an appropriate body appointed or an explicit mechanism in place to monitor compliance;deleted

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that trading commitments in EU agreements should ~~never overrule~~go hand in hand with human rights, women’s rights or environmental concerns;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls for the EU and the Member States to ensure that ~~binding~~ clauses on labour rights, based on the ILO Conventions, including Conventions No 189 on Domestic Workers and No 156 on Workers with Family Responsibilities, are included in trade agreements, and that social clauses in trade agreements also apply to informal work;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Calls for EU legislation similar to UN binding due diligence obligations to ensure respect for human rights, including women’s rights, and adequate social and environmental standards;~~deleted

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2017/2015(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Arne GERICKE, Jana ŽITŇANSKÁ, Sajjad KARIM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Emphasises the need to enhance codes of conduct, labels and fair-trade schemes, and of ensuring alignment with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;

2017/10/26
Committee: INTA FEMM

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas global value chains (GVCs) have become a key feature of today’s global economy; whereas, on the one hand, GVCs offer new prospects for growth, development and jobs, but on the other hand, their complex nature, lack of transparency and dilution of liabilities has in some cases led to a higher risk of human rights violations;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas a global holistic approach to corporate ~~liability for human rights abuses is needed in the context of GVC~~social responsibility is needed where all stakeholders have a role to play in mitigating the risks of violating human, labour and environmental rights;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that trade policy ~~must ensure~~shall aim to provide leverage as well as creating a level playing field for ~~European~~ businesses ~~and~~which facilitate upward convergence on standards; calls on the Commission to ensure coherence between the EU’s trade and industrial policies, and to promote the European reindustrialisation strategy and the transition towards a low- carbon economy;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission to actively promote further reforms of the WTO ~~in order to define and enforce multilateral rules for the sustainable management~~to promote sustainability of GVCs;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the ongoing negotiations con ~~a binding UN Treaty for Transnational Corporations and Human Rights;~~cerning the improvement of Human Rights at an UN level and calls for the EU to engage constructively in these ~~negotiation~~debates;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

5. Acknowledges the smart mix of regulatory and voluntary action, but recalls that voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) creates unfair competition for suppliers that have chosen to comply with international labour and environmental standards; reiterates its call for the systematic inclusion of binding and enforceable rules, associated sanctions, remediess and reiterates the call for the systematic inclusion of provisions on sustainable development supported by efficient and independent monitoring mechanisms;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Believes that an effective approach includes the active engagement with all stakeholders and with all parts of the supply chain. Furthermore, local governments should be encouraged to work with stakeholders and to arrive at viable solutions to mitigate the risk of human and labour rights violations; is convinced that the EU approach needs to build on, enhance, and bring together existing initiatives at both an EU and international level, as well as harnessing other policy tools in order to contribute to increasing efficiency over the long term;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5 b. Stresses the importance of implementation, enforcement or transposition of already existing legislation at regional, national and international levels;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the green card initiative launched by some national parliaments following the adoption of the French bill on MNCs’ duty of care; ~~calls on the Commission to work on a legislative proposal for mandatory corporate due diligence for EU companies operating both in and outside the EU;~~

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point a

a) implementing fully Parliament’s recommendations of 2010 and 2016 with respect to TSD chapters in FTAs, including by developing an upgraded TSD chapter model ~~with binding and enforceable provisions~~s, more effective monitoring and implementation of these chapters is crucial;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point c

~~c) including standstill clauses fixing a minimum level for social, environmental and safety standards in all EU FTAs;~~deleted

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)

Creating more prominent role for private sector initiatives

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Emphasizes the achievements of private sector engagement; the private sector needs to pursue sustainability strategies not only to prevent damage to their reputation, but also because it offers them new opportunities and reduces their dependence on scarce resources;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Stresses the crucial role of consumer (and effects of bad publicity);no consumer wants continue buying products made by children, exploited men and women or products that caused major environmental damage;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Calls on the European Commission to find new ways how to support private sector efforts to make global value chains more sustainable, to develop inclusive business models and related private sector multi- stakeholder partnerships;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 b (new)

Funding

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)

9d. Emphasises that smart mix between private and public funding is needed to promote sustainable global value chains: this should build on the existing structures and programmes that have proven successful in promoting responsible business conduct.

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls the EU to work towards the introduction of ~~a mandatory~~ ‘social and environmental traceability’ labelling system along the entire production chain for products sold on the EU market, in compliance with the WTO TBT Agreement;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Deplores the fact that gender is not mentioned~~Highlights the necessity of introducing a gender perspective and focusing on women empowerment in particular in the Trade for All strategy; calls on the Commission to ensure that gender perspective is included and mainstreamed in trade policy, the Aid for Trade strategy, and all future FTAs and impact assessments; calls on the Commission to collect gender- disaggregated data and take gender into account in GVC analysis;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8

DGlobal value chains and development prospects for developing countries

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2301(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sander LOONES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Notes that GVCs are an opportunity for firms in developing countries to develop a link with~~Underlines the contribution of sustainable global value chains to the prosperity of developing countries and their integration in the global economy; stresses that complementary policies and accompanying measures are key to making this a reality;

2017/06/07
Committee: INTA

2016/2228(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Acknowledges that climate change is creating new opportunities for the economic development of the Arctic through the potential exploitation of energy resources ~~such as oil and~~as the Arctic is reckoned to hold around 15 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil resources and 30 percent of those in natural gas, the creation of new shipping routes and infrastructure as well as the intensification of tourism activities, which would boost trade with, and investment in, the area over the long turn;

2016/11/15
Committee: INTA

2016/2228(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Considers that any current and new economic activity should be carried out in a sustainable way in order not to undermine the Arctic’s natural heritage and ecosystems and with full respect for the Indigenous communities;

2016/11/15
Committee: INTA

2016/2228(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. TStresses the rising interest of China for Arctic region especially in the access to shipping routes and in its energy resources, takes note of the conclusion of a free trade agreement between Iceland and China, and will monitor closely the effects it may have on the sustainable economic development not only of the Icelandic side of the Arctic but also on the EU internal market;

2016/11/15
Committee: INTA

2016/2228(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that no free trade agreement has been concluded between EU and Russia, and that therefore the EU has no effective bilateral instrument with which to influence trade and investment in the Russian Arctic.deleted

2016/11/15
Committee: INTA

2016/2228(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Recalls the partial freeze in relations between the EU and Russia over the last two years; stresses however that the EU-Russia dialogue on the Arctic is still open in the areas of environmental management and scientific cooperation.

2016/11/15
Committee: INTA

2016/2222(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Stresses the key role palm oil production plays in the economies of palm-oil producing developing countries, both as a valuable source of income and employment;

2017/02/03
Committee: DEVE

2016/2222(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Calls for assisting palm-oil producing countries in the elaboration and enforcement of relevant domestic policies and regulations aiming at minimising the impact of the industry on deforestation, ecosystem and natural heritage;

2017/02/03
Committee: DEVE

2016/2222(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1 c. Recalls that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil, with an estimated 85-90 % of global production and welcomes that Malaysian primary forest levels have increased since 1990, but remains concerned that current deforestation levels in Indonesia are running at a rate of -0.5% total loss every five years;

2017/02/03
Committee: DEVE

2016/2222(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls that the EU is a major importer of products resulting from illegal deforestation; calls for the immediate termination of EU subsidies for biofuels produced from food crops and for a phase-out of such fuels; stresses the inadequacy of voluntary certification schemes, such as the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), in addressing land grabs and human rights violations; calls for binding regulations on agricultural commodity importers’ supply chains;deleted

2017/02/03
Committee: DEVE

2016/2222(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Stresses the importance of improving production conditions of palm oil through supporting existing certification systems, ensuring that they are easily accessible for SMEs and understandable for consumers confirming that the palm oil in question has been produced in line with sustainability guideline, including the requirement that the product is effectively and transparently traceable throughout the entire supply chain;

2017/02/03
Committee: DEVE

2016/2222(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for the revision of the Non- Financial Reporting Directive to include land grabbing and deforestation risks in the non-financial key performance indicators; calls for inclusion of agribusiness in the scope of companies required by the Accounting Directive to report on payments to governments;deleted

2017/02/03
Committee: DEVE

2016/2222(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Is concerned that many land deals breach the principle of local communities’ free, prior and informed consent; calls for the EU and its Member States to ensure that EU-based investors adhere fully to international standards on responsible investment in agriculture~~, and to take steps to ensure access to remedy for victims of corporate abuses~~.

2017/02/03
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 14 April 2016 of the European Parliament on 'The Private Sector and Development'15a , _________________ 15a Texts adopted, (P8_TA(2016)0137).

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

- having regard to the Directive 2014/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups,

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas economic development ~~should go hand-in-hand with social justice~~is key to developing self-sustaining societies; whereas the complexity and fragmentation of global value chains (GVCs) underline the need for complementary policies and flanking measures to avoid, address and mitigate their potential adverse impacts and to ensure victims of human rights violations have an effective access to remedydoes not facilitate effective access to justice and compensation for potential victims of corporate abuse;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas economic development should go hand-in-hand with social ~~justice~~progress; whereas the complexity and fragmentation of global value chains (GVCs) underline the need for complementary policies and flanking measures to avoid, address and mitigate their potential adverse impacts and to ensure victims of human rights violations have an effective access to remedy;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. highlights the important role of garment sector as a driver of labour- intensive development for emerging economies, especially Asia's emerging markets;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

C b. whereas strong performance of garment exports, especially in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia is set to continue;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas most human rights violations in the garment sector are ~~labour- rights related and include the denial of workers fundamental right to joi~~related to the lack or absence of knowledge of their rights by workers; whereas women wor ~~form a union of their choosing and bargain collectively in good faith~~kers are predominant in low-skilled positions and underrepresented in middle- management positions; whereas this has led to widespread labour rights violations ranging from poverty wages, wage theft, unsafe workplaces, and sexual harassment, to precarious work;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas ~~most human~~ labour-rights violations in the garment sector ~~are labour-rights related and~~ include the denial of workers fundamental right to join or form a union of their choosing and bargain collectively in good faith; whereas this has led to ~~widesprea~~several tragic events and labour rights violations ranging from poverty wages, wage theft, unsafe workplaces, and sexual harassment, to precarious work;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas a number of promising initiatives led by the private sector, such as codes of conduct, labels, self-assessments and social audits, have ~~not proven to be at all effective~~contributed positively to improving supply chain standards over the last 20 years in terms of increasing workers’ rights in the garment supply chain;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the specific characteristics of the garment sector value chains, such as geographically dispersed stages of the production process, low prices, short lead times, subcontracting and short-term buyer-supplier relationships are conducive to reducing visibility and transparency over an enterprise’'s supply chain ~~and to inc~~; whereas in~~g the risks of human rights and labour abuses~~ternational companies should positively contribute to the social and of environmental ~~damage~~well-being of developing countries; whereas transparency is a prerequisite for a company’'s accountability and responsible consumption; whereas the consumer ~~has the right to know where a piece of clothing was produced, and in which social and environmental conditions~~should have access to information regarding the social and environmental conditions involving the production of a piece of clothing;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas women’s rights are a constitutive part of human rights; whereas gender equality falls within the scope of the chapters of trade agreements on sustainable development; whereas the specific impact of trade and investment agreements affects women and men differently owing to structural gender inequalities, and whereas sustainable and inclusive development, growth and trade agreements ~~must include~~should respect human rights, including from a gender perspective;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas an estimated 60-70 % of employees in the ready-made garment sector are young, mostly low-skilled female workers; many are just children, whereas low wages, coupled with low if any social protection make these women particularly vulnerable to exploitation; whereas a gender perspective and specific measures on women's empowerment is largely missing in the ongoing sustainability initiatives;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. whereas the private sector plays an essential role in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in developing countries; whereas the economy of some developing countries depends on the garment industry; whereas the expansion of this industry has allowed many workers to move from informal economy to the formal sector;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. whereas employment of women in the garment sector in developing countries contributes significantly to the household income and poverty reduction;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas the garment sector is the sector which has the most sustainability initiatives in progress; ~~whereas few existing initiatives reach the scale needed to make a significant impact;~~

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for the Commission to be committed to promoting binding ~~and non- negotiable~~ human rights and social and environmental clauses in the negotiation of international agreements; ~~regrets that current human rights clauses in free trade agreements and other economic partnership agreements are usually not respected;~~

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Acknowledg~~Welcomes the increasing attention given to promoting good working conditions through global supply chains following the Rana Plaza factory collapse, the introduction of the draft French law on mandatory due diligence, the UK anti- slavery bill, and the statement made by President Juncker at the G7 Summit in favour of ‘urgent action’ to improve responsibility in global supply chains; acknowledges the Commission’s commitment towards responsible management of supply chains, including in the garment sector, as outlined in the Communication entitled ‘Trade for All’; welcomes the green card initiative in which eight Member States have called for a duty of care by EU-based companies towards individuals and communities whose human rights and local environment are affected by the companies’ activities;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission to present ~~a legislative~~ proposals on b~~inding~~oosting industry capacity to implement due diligence obligations for supply chains in the garment sector aligned with OECD guidelines and internationally agreed standards on human rights and social and environmental standards; this proposal should focus on the core problems garment workers face (occupational health and safety, a living wage, child labor, freedom of association, sexual harassment and violence) and should address the following matters: key criteria for sustainable production, transparency and traceability, including collection of data and tools for consumer information, due diligence checks and auditing, access to remedy; gender equality, supply-chain due diligence reporting; awareness raising; ~~notes, however, with concern that a lot more needs to be done and urges the Commission to take further actions which have a direct impact on workers’ lives;~~

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposal ~~on bi~~demanding ~~due diligence obligations for supply chains in the garment sector aligned~~that all enterprises which operate in developing countries through supply chains in the garment sector provide a level of transparency in accordance with OECD gGuidelines ~~and internationally agreed standards on human rights and~~for Multinational Enterprises in terms of respecting human rights, positively contributing to the social and environmental well-being of developing countries and abiding by social and environmental standards; this proposal should focus on the core problems garment workers face (occupational health and safety, a living wage, freedom of association, sexual harassment and violence) and should address the following matters: key criteria for sustainable production, transparency and traceability, including collection of data and tools for consumer information, due diligence checks and auditing, access to remedy; gender equality, supply-chain due diligence reporting;, awareness raising; notes, however, ~~with concern that a lot more needs to be done and urges~~that the Commission toshould take further actions ~~which hav~~to encourage a dfaire~~ct impact on workers’ liv~~r, more ethical garment industry recognising the essential growth opportunity it provides;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates its call on the Commission to extend corporate social responsibility and binding due diligence initiatives beyond existing frameworks for the garment sector so as to ensure that the EU and its trading partners and operators live up to the obligation to respect both human rights and the highest social and environmental standards;deleted

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Calls on the Commission to reinforce corporate social responsibility initiatives and due diligence across the production chain with a focus on upholding human rights and their social, labour and environmental aspects;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Reiterates its commitment to gender equality and women empowerment; underlines the need to promote access to leadership positions of women by supporting training of female workers about their rights, labour legislation and safety and health issues, as well as training of male managers on gender equality and discrimination;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Stresses the importance of implementation, enforcement or transposition of already existing legislation at regional, national and international levels;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6 b. Points out that coordination, sharing information and exchange of best practices may contribute to increasing efficiency of private and public value chain initiatives and achieve positive results on sustainable development;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Urges the Commission to deliver on its objective to foster improvements in the ready-made garment sector, including through a strong gender focus; calls on the Commission to make ~~gender equality~~women empowerment a central focus of its flagship legislative initiative;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises the need to enhance codes of conduct, labels and fair trade schemes, and of ensuring alignment with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, UN Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the upcoming OECD due diligence guidance for the garment and footwear sector;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Sajjad KARIM, Nirj DEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that it is crucial to ensure increased access to information on the conduct of enterprises; considers it fundamental to introduce a ~~mandatory~~n effective reporting system and due diligence for EU companies that outsource their production to third countries; believes that responsibility should extend throughout the entire supply chain, including sub- contractors in the formal and informal economy, and commends existing efforts to this effect; believes, however, that the EU is best placed to develop a common framework through legislation on mandatory transnational due diligence and supply chain transparency and traceability;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2140(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Believes that it is crucial to ensure increased access to information on the conduct of enterprises; considers it fundamental to introduce a mandatory reporting system and due diligence for EU companies that outsource their production to third countries; believes that responsibility should extend throughout the entire supply chain, including sub- contractors in the formal and informal economy, and commends existing efforts to this effect; believes, ~~however,~~ that the EU ~~is best placed~~should cooperate with the private sector to develop a ~~common~~ framework ~~through legislation on mandatory~~on transnational due diligence and supply chain transparency and traceability consistent with the EU directive on non-financial reporting;

2017/02/06
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas Official Development Assistance (ODA) can play a crucial role in delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular in low-income countries and in fighting extreme poverty and inequality, if it is better targeted and if it respects the principles of effective development cooperation, namely country ownership, strengthening local capacity, transparency and accountability, focus on results, and inclusiveness;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the private sector is becoming, alongside other traditional governmental and non-governmental development organisations, a true partner in our development strategies-in achieving inclusive and sustainable development;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas it is essential for aid effectiveness that recipient countries apply in parallel pro-growth economic policies introducing market economy mechanisms, mobilisation of private capital, land reforms and open progressively their markets to global competition;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas countries such as China, Brazil, Turkey and India play an increasingly important role as emerging donors and for the transfer of development expertise and technology, not least thanks to their own recent and current development experience; whereas their engagement with more traditional donors in the promotion of global public goods and their participation in the GPEDC can be enhanced;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas-donor driven aid agendas risk undermining the ownership and sustainability of development assistance, burden ineffective institutions, distort markets, increase dependency and past progress on alignment;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas there is an increased use of results frameworks for measuring the achievements of development cooperation programmes, but the full ~~ownership and use of those frameworks~~transparency on use of aid by developing countries remains a persistent challenge;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas development effectiveness, understood as the effective use of all means and resources geared towards development, depends ~~not only on aid donors but also~~especially on recipient countries, on the existence of effective and responsive institutions, sound policies, the rule of law, inclusive democratic governance, and safeguards against corruption within developing countries and illicit financial flows at international level; whereas the GPEDC should play an increased role in facilitating and promoting progress on the above determinants for development;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)

Ma. whereas fragmentation of aid remains a persistent challenge due to proliferation of donors and aid agencies and lack of coordination of their activities and projects;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital M b (new)

Mb. whereas the development landscape is increasingly heterogeneous, with more poor people living in middle- income countries than in low income countries and whereas at the same time, development challenges have changed in nature, with the emergence of new global challenges such as migration, food security, peace and stability and climate change;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Underlines the role in development of citizens, local communities, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs) and elected representatives, and stresses that all these actors need to be involved in furthering and implementing the effectiveness agenda at various levels; believes that their effective contribution requires their participatory involvement in planning, mutual accountability and transparency, monitoring and evaluation and that donors should improve predictability and speediness when working with these actors as implementing partners;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls its request29 to codify and strengthen the mechanisms and practices for ensuring better complementarity and effective coordination of development aid among EU Member States and institutions, while ensuring policy coherence for development, providing clear and enforceable rules for ensuring democratic domestic ownership, harmonisation, alignment with country strategies and systems, predictability of funds, reducing management costs, better distribution of aid among and within partner countries, transparency and mutual accountability; asks the Commission to provide information on the absence of follow-up on this request and to state what alternative measures it has taken or intends to take in this regard; __________________ 29 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0558 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0558

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the Commission and Member States to develop new initiatives to explore triangular cooperation flagship projects, involving new emerging donors and other middle-income countries, based on tackling global challenges of mutual interest, without losing the perspective of eradicating poverty;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2139(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Stresses that it is essential to mobilize further resources for development and partner with the -private sector in particular, as such loan blending facilities and public private partnerships offer new opportunities for EU development policy and its effectiveness;

2016/10/18
Committee: DEVE

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that, having been fully operational for less than a year, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) has kicked off successfully, delivering some initial concrete results and acting as a positive instrument to overcome the lack of investment in Europe through coordinated action; stresses, however, that the pace needs to be accelerated and its initial results need to improve significantly in the near future in order for the instrument to achieve its objectives fully;deleted

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Strongly supports the ambition of the Commission to overcome the investment gap and strengthen the incentives in the private sector to invest in and boost the sustainable growth of the European economies; for this reason, however, firmly opposes the activities of the EFSI that undermine these goals and are not a solution but rather part of the problem;1a __________________ 1a As of July 2016, the EFSI approvals ensured 37% of its original goal of €315 billion in the new investments (289 approved transactions in total). Some say the existence of these investments is a success of its own, as they would not have existed without the fund. This statement is a mistake that indicates lack of economic understanding.

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls for activities that deal with the real causes of the private investment gap which have not yet been addressed - debt crisis, one trillion EUR in bad loans in the banking sector (ECB estimate) which weakens its ability to provide new loans to the economy1b , bureaucratic, regulatory and tax burden; considers that EFSI is not and cannot be a solution to this problem; __________________ 1b The balance sheets of the banks in the Eurozone exhibit €1,000 billion of failed loans (for the reference, the whole budget of the Union is approximately €150 billion). Given that a standard bank is able to use its own capital to cover only a few per cent drop in the value of its assets, the question is who will pay the losses should they need to be addressed. The European Banks are sufficiently large (some are larger than the GDP of the country in which they reside), which in turn may increase taxpayers‘ expenditure should they find themselves in trouble. As the banks realise that they have lent money to dubious projects, they are not willing to offer further loans any more. However, the businesses in the EU are usually given up to 90% of the resources by the commercial banks (for the reference, in the USA, it is only 30%). Due to the fact that banks are reluctant to offer loans, the Commission has come up with the EFSI project, which is to substitute the loans-offering role of the banks. Instead of having the banks recovered by addressing their losses (which would indeed hurt, but if it had been performed at the beginning of the Euro crisis, we could already have growth with a healthy banking sector), the ECB is feeding them with money. Not only that, it has also decreased the interest rates to virtually zero, in order to make them take on more loans. This is, however, not happening (the only argument of the proponents of quantitative easing is that the situation would otherwise be even worse). Furthermore, the EFSI is not properly functioning either. The problem is that we keep trying to solve the consequence instead of addressing the cause of the malfunctioning system of loans.

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Reminds that in principle, there are little differences between the EFSI and standard European funds; believes that the main difference is in the extent of support - while standard European funds finance most of the costs of the supported projects, the EFSI provides a loan for the part of the project; thus, EFSI can support more projects for less taxpayers' money but only in the cost of dead-weight loss, shifting of resources and moral hazard;

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)

1d. Acknowledges the dead-weight loss; reminds that EFSI supported financing of Normandy Dairy Production Facility and Polish milk powder factory while there is a general excess capacity in the diary production; reminds also that the same applies for the EFSI support of the wind farms while there are excess capacities for the electricity production in Europe; believes that EFSI must stop financing ordinary projects which deforms standard market competition; 1c __________________ 1cThe EIB declares that the EFSI “remains focused on the specific objective of addressing the market failure in risk- taking, which hinders the investment in Europe. In doing so, the EFSI will also increase the volume of high risk projects supported by the EIB Group.” The EFSI also finances a Slovak PPP project; a construction of approximately 27 km of the D4 motorway around Bratislava, which is to connect to the R7 expressway (outside the scope of EIB financing). Paradoxically, while the contribution to the transport capacity of the D4 remains controversial, the more necessary R7 will not receive an EFSI funding. Moreover, there is no reason to assume this D4 PPP project would not find sufficient funding without a help from the EFSI.

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Urges that EFSI ensure greater additionality for its projects in relation to normal EIB activities; underlines the fact that EFSI should support strategic investments related to projects that cannot obtain funding because of market failures, suboptimal investment situations or high levels of risk; recalls, furthermore, that when determining the criteria for use of the EU guarantee, EFSI should consider not only the profitability factor, but also the positive effects in terms of growth, job creation and cohesion;deleted

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Sander LOONES, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Notes with interest~~Welcomes the proposal Commission President Juncker made during his 2016 State of the Union address to give the EFSI an external element in order to mobilise between EUR 44 and 88 billion in investments in Africa and the Neighbourhood acknowledging so the private sector as a true partner in our development strategies; stresses that these investments should not take the place of existing investments, must comply with the additionality principle in respect to projects that are already being financed and should be targeted towards risky and, where possible, small-scale projects; emphasizes the necessary connection that must be introduced between development and migration, including the link with areas such as return and readmission support;

2016/10/19
Committee: INTA

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that, while the SMEs window of the EFSI represented a good opportunity for start-ups, SMEs and mid- caps, there is a lack of big investment; emphasises, therefore, the need to improve the financing of infrastructure and innovation projects;deleted

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Sander LOONES, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes the view that tools of that kind should be compatible with the principles and objectives of EU external action as set out under Article 21 TEU and Article 208 TFEU, and that compliance with those principles should be ~~one of~~together with achieved results among the most important criteria in the assessment of the efficiency of the EFSI in reports on its implementation; stresses that the future exterior EFSI should ~~tackle the underlying causes of migration~~encourage private investment in Africa and Neighbourhood countries in order to contribute to tackle the root causes of fragility and migration - deteriorating economic situation and extreme poverty.

2016/10/19
Committee: INTA

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Urges that moral hazard shall not be overlooked; stresses that even partial loses of the investments supported by EFSI can cause 100% loss of the European taxpayers money due to high level of leverage the EFSI uses; stresses also that taxpayers unwillingly bear the risks of the failed investments;

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for better coordination between EFSI and other EU funds, in particular the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs), so as to promote stronger cohesion in Europe and ensure that EFSI has wide geographical coverage; calls, also, for closer cooperation with national promotional banks, local and regional authorities and relevant stakeholders, including further encouragement to establish investment platforms to aggregate sectorial and geographical investment opportunities;deleted

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that profitability of projects cannot be counted simply by looking at the cash flows; stresses that, in addition to adjustments for lost income from alternative use of the resources (e.g. what would happen if the resources were never taken from the hands of the taxpayers), the investment risk calculation must be considered as well; believes that, since risk is what seems to be one the main reasons for the lack of private investments in the EU, its inclusion can throw many EFSI projects into red numbers;4a __________________ 4a The profitability of the investments approved by the EFSI should not be compared to the situation where no other investments are made by the private sector. Instead, the profitability of the EFSI should be compared to an alternative scenario in which the public sector eliminates the investment uncertainty it created and which caused the investment gap in the first place: deficit public spending; failure of the regulatory role of the banking system; and bureaucratic, regulatory and tax burden it forced on private investors. These are the key issues that have not yet been addressed.

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines the need to increase the transparency of EFSI operations and to improve information about projects and their quality to citizens and potential beneficiaries; points to the need to enhance the European Investment Project Portal (EIPP) and the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) in order to establish a link with the real economy, give visibility to projects and provide high- quality technical assistance to potential promoters;deleted

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Daniel DALTON, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Acknowledges that the most important effect of EFSI activities is shifting of resources as every euro the EFSI lends for the investments it supports is a euro that was taken from the hands of a private lender; stresses that, if a private entrepreneur makes an investment that EFSI is willing to support, he will not realize an investment that he could otherwise accomplish without the help from EFSI;5a __________________ 5aEvery investment inevitably carries a level of risk and therefore investing is a natural role for the private sector. When people invest their own capital, they carefully consider potential profits and losses of their investments as well as the credibility of the borrower. Risks (and thus both profits and losses) stay in private hands. If the EFSI applies high standards set by professional investors from the private sector, there will be no reason for its existence, as its role will already be fulfilled by the private sector. The very existence of the EFSI is therefore problematic: the EFSI uses public resources to incite investments that are too risky for private lenders to take, while the private sector and taxpayers bear the risks of failing EFSI investments.

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that EFSI is instrumental in completing and restructuring the Single Market; underlines, in this light, the importance of strengthening the third pillar of the ‘Investment Plan for Europe’, also in the context of the European Semester process, in order to make the EU regulatory environment more certain, homogeneous and favourable to investments by focusing especially on strategic objectives such as completion of the Single Market and the development of a well-functioning Digital Single Market, and on key actions that support these objectives;deleted

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Underlines that the EFSI shifts the capital from the market-driven projects where they would be most effective to the projects driven by the EFSI bureaucrats where they are less effective; underlines that economy as a whole therefore loses;6a __________________ 6aThe EFSI is an entity that does not solve the causes of the investment gap, but rather shifts the risks that private lenders are not willing to take to all European taxpayers. The resources of the Public sector are solely those it has obtained in taxes from the Private sector. Every public euro used for the activities of the EFSI is therefore missed in the private sector, which makes the situation for the future of private investments even worse.

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Acknowledges that EFSI enables avoiding fiscal rules; stresses that national contributions to EFSI are considered one-off measures, respectively a "relevant factor" in terms of assessing the deficit; as a result, stresses that several countries struggling with fiscal problems including the ones with public debt exceeding 60% GDP cap rule or 3% GDP deficit rule pledged billions of euros in contributions on EFSI projects;

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the recent Commission proposal to extend EFSI beyond 2018 and to reinforce it in order to overcome the current investment gap in Europe and continue to mobilise private sector capital, these being crucial steps to ensure sustainable growth, competitiveness, quality job creation and social and territorial cohesion in Europe.deleted

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2064(INI)

Richard SULÍK, Bernd KÖLMEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Bernd LUCKE, Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Recommends to reject the Commission proposal to extend the EFSI beyond 2018 and to stop providing any further loans from the EFSI.

2016/09/07
Committee: IMCO

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that energy is ~~a basic human good and that the EU must combat~~essential for economic activity and industrial competitiveness and that any EU energy policy secure as first principles the need to ensure stable, secure and predictable access to energy ~~poverty~~for all;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that trade plays a key role in energy security, and that strong energy partnerships, reinforced by the inclusion of energy chapters in the EU’s trade agreements, are essential tools; considers it to be of key importance that the EU’s trade agreements enhance the EU’s energy diversification and reduce its dependence on imported energy from too few suppliers by creating new market access opportunities in energy resources and products both via established long term partners and with new and prospective countries in areas such as, but not limited to, Central Asia, North Africa and the Americas; calls for greater coherence between the EU’s trade and energy policies;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that trade plays a key role in energy security, and that strong energy partnerships, reinforced by the inclusion of energy chapters in the EU’s trade agreements, are essential tools; considers it to be of key importance that the EU’s trade agreements enhance the EU Member States’s energy diversification and reduce ~~its~~their dependence on imported energy from too few suppliers;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need to ensure the highest environmental standards in the planning, construction and use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as in the exploitation of indigenous reserves and sources;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls that in order to promote the transition towards a low-carbon society, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but underlines that in the short to medium term citizens and businesses of EU Member States will continue largely to rely on traditional elements in the energy mix;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls that in order to promote the transition towards a low-carbon society, weEU Member States’ need to reduce outheir dependence on fossil fuels;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Points out that it is estimated that gas imports to ~~the EU~~EU Member States will rise until 2030, even if gas demand within ~~the EU~~EU Member States simultaneously stays stagnant or declines; stresses that moderating energy demand and promoting renewable and local energy sources are among the most effective tools for reducing dependence on external energy; recalls that ~~the EU~~EU Member States hasve significant LNG import excess capacity overall, but that this capacity is not evenly distributed in geographical terms;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Points out that it is estimated that gas imports to the EU will rise until 2030, even if gas demand within the EU simultaneously stays stagnant or declines; stresses that moderating energy demand ~~and~~, promoting renewable and local energy sources and energy efficiency are among the most effective tools for reducing dependence on external energy; recalls that the EU has significant LNG import excess capacity overall, but that this capacity is not evenly distributed in geographical terms;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2059(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Considers that trade policy generating significant opportunities for EU Member States’ private and public companies in clean, secure and efficient energy technologies is particularly important, especially in light of the growing global energy demand, calls for significant tariffs reductions on clean technologies within the Green Goods initiative and also within EU FTAs, which must tackle non-tariff barriers to trade in energy sources;

2016/07/18
Committee: INTA

2016/2053(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Calls for an effective post-Cotonou framework adapted to global challenges, based on ownership by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals; stresses that a revised general framework agreement, together with the regional Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and other trade instruments, must support fair and sustainable trade and, ultimately, wealth creation, sustainable development and poverty reduction; emphasises that EPAs will also be essential in promoting regional economic integration;

2016/06/22
Committee: INTA

2016/2053(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)

(1) Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are a key development instrument for helping alleviate poverty in the long run; stresses however that trade liberalisation must be accompanied by effective measures and development support in terms of capacity building, production, infrastructure and export capacity and domestic private sector development especially for the least developed countries- in order to help take advantage of the opportunities offered by trade;

2016/06/22
Committee: INTA

2016/2053(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that the post-Cotonou process should offer a framework within which to discuss trade issues with all the ACP countries; calls for a strengthening of trade cooperation and encouraging systemic economic reforms, with a values and results -driven approach and improved Policy Coherence for Development; believes that inclusive growth, job creation, the development involvement of the private sector, development of public-private partnerships and regional integration must be central in a future economic partnership;

2016/06/22
Committee: INTA

2016/2053(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for strong~~, legally binding~~ sustainable development provisions; asks for the human rights 'essential elements' clause to remain in the future agreement so that the linkage clauses in the EPAs continue to function after 2020;

2016/06/22
Committee: INTA

2016/2053(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls the Financing for Development commitments; calls for the EU to ensure more and effective funding for Aid for Trade to support the ACP countries’' efforts to move up the global value chain and progressively integrate into the world economy, notes, however, that without serious efforts by the countries directly concerned and improvements in good governance, transparency and fight against corruption, trade cannot – in isolation – help countries to overcome development constraints.

2016/06/22
Committee: INTA

2016/2047(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 b (new)

60 b. stresses that the Parliament and the Council, in order to create long term savings in the Union budget, must address the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as requested by the large majority of this Parliament in several resolutions;

2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2016/0351(COD)

Sander LOONES, Jan ZAHRADIL

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3

(3) In the light of experience gained in past proceedings, it is appropriate to clarify the circumstances in which significant distortions affecting to a considerable extent free market forces may be deemed to exist. In particular, it is appropriate to clarify that this situation may be deemed to exist, inter alia, when reported prices or costs, including the costs of raw materials and other factors of production, are not the result of free market forces because they are affected by government intervention. It is further appropriate to clarify that in considering whether or not such a situation exists regard may be had, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: the market in question is to a significant extent served by enterprises which operate under the ownership, control or policy supervision or guidance of the authorities of the exporting country; state presence in firms or other circumstances allowing the state to interfere with respect to prices or costs;, including through the allocation of resources and decisions taken by enterprises, public policies or measures discriminating in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces; and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives. It is further appropriate to provide that the Commission services may issue a report describing the specific situation concerning these criteria in a certain country or a certain sector; that such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector; and that interested parties should have ample opportunity to comment on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used.

2017/05/23
Committee: INTA

Sander LOONES, Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Proposal for a decision
Recital 2

(2) A new results-oriented partnership framework with third countries which takes account of all Union policies and instruments should be developed. As part of that new partnership framework, the External Investment Plan should be established in order to support investments in regions outside the Union, while contributing to inclusive and sustainable development, wealth creation and to the achievement of the sSustainable dDevelopment gGoals (SDGs). It should also fulfil the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the objectives pursued by the other financing instruments for external action.

2017/02/06
Committee: INTA

2016/0275(COD)

Sander LOONES, Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Proposal for a decision
Recital 15

(15) The EIB should develop and implement a set of indicators in its Results Measurement framework for projects in the public sector and in the private sector directed to refugees and host communities. Therefore, an assessment of the contribution of EIB financing operations addressing root causes of migration should be included in the Commission's annual reporting to the European Parliament and to the Council on EIB financing operations; ensuring full accountability and transparency.

2017/02/06
Committee: INTA

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that NGOs are vital change agents and human rights defenders with a central role in implementing Agenda 2030; given current humanitarian crises, underlines NGOs’ importance to humanitarian aid; ~~condemns efforts to control NGOs through public funds;~~

2016/09/15
Committee: DEVE

2015/2345(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Underlines that funding for NGOs must be dedicated to their diverse development and humanitarian projects, and that financial resources in bureaucratic and administrative processes should be significantly reduced;

2016/09/15
Committee: DEVE

2015/2345(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. UStresses the vital importance of openness and transparency in the way NGOs use aid money and resources; urges the Commission to build a central database outlining NGO funding and results, in particular through real-time information on the internet, and to make any data secure that might endanger NGO actors secure;

2016/09/15
Committee: DEVE

2015/2345(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for better coordination of NGOs’ activities in order to increase effectiveness of the response to humanitarian crises, to limit duplications of efforts and competition for resources;

2016/09/15
Committee: DEVE

2015/2345(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Advises against the politicisation of NGOs and funding being diverted towards political campaigns, resulting in the prioritisation of public advocacy over the delivery of aid;

2016/09/15
Committee: DEVE

2015/2345(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises that working with multiple donors increases administrative burdens; asks the Commission, therefore, to ~~limit minimum percentage requirements in co-funding agreements,~~ ensure that in-kind contributions are considered eligible, harmonise external evaluation requirements and make better use of existing evaluations;

2016/09/15
Committee: DEVE

2015/2317(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls that trade liberalisation is not positive, per se, in terms of reducing poverty and could have negative effects on sustainable development if it is not accompanied by ~~re-distribution through fair and progressive tax systems~~an efficient use of resources for development based on an honest regulatory environment and the protection of private property;

2016/02/22
Committee: INTA

2015/2317(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission to ~~take measures to prevent the potential negativ~~monitor the effects of ~~mega~~ trade ~~deal~~and investments agreements, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), on developing countries;

2016/02/22
Committee: INTA

2015/2317(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Calls on the Commission to~~Stresses the importance of safeguarding the right of countries to regulate and preserve policy space in order to develop infant industries; urges the Commission to ensure that trade agreements and policies ~~do not undermin~~further encourage developing countries’ efforts to increase the domestic value added in order to upgrade along the global value chains;

2016/02/22
Committee: INTA

2015/2317(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to develop a complaint mechanism as a basis for sanctions to channel the voices of those whose human rights are jeopardised by EU trade policies and which will form an essential element of the EU’s role in the implementation of the sustainable development goals;deleted

2016/02/22
Committee: INTA

2015/2274(INI)

David CAMPBELL BANNERMAN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and ~~trade- circumventing sanctions~~bureaucracy, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need ~~to fight corruption and~~for increased transparency, and for a truly private sector to develop in Iran;

2016/05/26
Committee: INTA

2015/2274(INI)

David CAMPBELL BANNERMAN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises that a potential renewal of trade ties between the EU Member States and Iran must go hand in hand with substantial improvements in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran,; and ~~that the EU must use its position as an economic bloc as leverage~~considers rapid evidence of improvements to human rights and fundamental freedoms to be of upmost importance for a renewal of commercial and investment ties to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of the Iranian people;

2016/05/26
Committee: INTA

2015/2274(INI)

David CAMPBELL BANNERMAN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that ~~some sectors~~up to 70% of the Iranian economy ~~are heavily controlled by the regime~~is state controlled, potentially creating problems for EU Member State companies in Iran, and that increased trade ~~could strengthen the economic, military and political power of certain unelected individuals~~, on the condition of evidence of improvements to human rights, could enhance of the role of the private sector;

2016/05/26
Committee: INTA

2015/2274(INI)

David CAMPBELL BANNERMAN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the EU to explore the possibility of restarting Iran’s accession talks with the World Trade Organisation, as membership of the WTO would bring a further liberalisation of Iran’s economy to drive growth, embed the country in the global rules-based system and provide a mechanism to hold the regime to account on commitments made;deleted

2016/05/26
Committee: INTA

2015/2274(INI)

David CAMPBELL BANNERMAN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Regret~~Notes that the American sanctions still in place restrict EU policy space, obstructing EU companies with US business activities doing business in Iran; calls on the US Government to provide legal certainty and predictability, including by granting waivers, and asks the Commissionimportantly some US sanctions are not affected by the nuclear deal and will remain in place, in particular sanctions related to human rights abuses, support for terrorism and testing of ballistic missiles, and asks EU Member States to increase dialogue and cooperation with the US;

2016/05/26
Committee: INTA

2015/2155(DEC)

Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Pina PICIERNO, Fredrick FEDERLEY, Anneliese DODDS, Margrete AUKEN, Dennis de JONG, Monika VANA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Benedek JÁVOR, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Anja HAZEKAMP, Elly SCHLEIN, Marietje SCHAAKE, Anneleen VAN BOSSUYT, Morten MESSERSCHMIDT, Josep-Maria TERRICABRAS, Jeroen LENAERS, Frédérique RIES, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Ivan ŠTEFANEC, Lynn BOYLAN, Matt CARTHY, Luke Ming FLANAGAN, Liadh NÍ RIADA, Igor ŠOLTES, Bas EICKHOUT, Jan Philipp ALBRECHT, Michaela ŠOJDROVÁ, Luigi MORGANO, Ashley FOX, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Ruža TOMAŠIĆ, Cora van NIEUWENHUIZEN, Ulrike LUNACEK, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Richard SULÍK, Diane DODDS, Lara COMI, Bart STAES, Nicola CAPUTO, Judith SARGENTINI, Ivo BELET, Remo SERNAGIOTTO, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Richard ASHWORTH, Alessia Maria MOSCA, Ernest URTASUN, Pascal ARIMONT, Marina ALBIOL GUZMÁN, Salvatore Domenico POGLIESE, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Romana TOMC, Jan ZAHRADIL, Bodil VALERO, Daniel DALTON, Angelika MLINAR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Stresses that the Court of Auditors report adopted on 11.07.2014 states that the potential saving for the EU budget would be about 114 million EUR per year if the European Parliament centralised its activities; reiterates the call on Parliament and the Council to address, in order to create long term savings, the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as stated by Parliament in several previous resolutions;

2016/03/14
Committee: CONT

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)

– having regard to the European Council Conclusions of 7/8th February 2013, its Conclusions on Trade of 21st November 2014 and the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 27th November 2015,

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that the importance of the potential contribution of trade policy to sustainable development was recently reaffirmed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;, recalls that the Sustainable Development Goals include several trade-related targets across a number of policy areas, one of the most concrete targets being aimed at increasing exports from developing countries with a view to doubling the least developed countries' (LCD) share of global exports by 2020;

2016/02/22
Committee: DEVE

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)

-A. whereas trade plays a powerful role in promoting business opportunities, creating prosperity and increasing employment as well as in driving economic development and social progress;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the advances made at the World Trade Organisation’s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, in particular in the area of agriculture (e.g. the elimination of trade-distorting agriculture export subsidies, and progress on market access for the least developed countries (LDCs)), emphasises the need for a renewed commitment to inclusive multilateralism and to advancing the WTO's negotiating agenda, keeping development together with special and differential treatment at its core;

2016/02/22
Committee: DEVE

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas new-generation trade policy needs to ~~respond to people’s concerns~~address modern day trade issues, such as digital trade and the key role of SMEs; whereas new trade agreements should be open and transparent and respond to the needs of citizens, consumers and businesses; welcomes the European Commission's transparency initiative in this regard;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses the rise of emerging economies which have become the main drivers of global economic growth; for the first time in history, developing countries as a whole account for more than half of world trade, which has contributed significantly to lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty;

2016/02/22
Committee: DEVE

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas trade negotiations such as ACTA, TTIP, CETA and TiSA have brought European trade policy to the public’'s attention~~, and whereas more and more citizens are worried that European regulation and standards could be undermined by the CCP~~;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU’'s trade and investment policy must be bolstered not only by ensuring beneficial outcomes in terms of employment and wealth creation for citizens and businesses, but also by guaranteeing the highest level of transparency, engagement and accountability, by maintaining constant dialogue with businesses, consumers, social partners, stakeholders and local and regional authorities, and by setting clear guidelines in the negotiations;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are a key development instrument for helping to alleviate poverty in the long run; stresses, however, that their scope is still mainly limited to goods, and that expanding them to services and investment would considerably increase potential for growth, emphasizes that EPAs are equally essential in promoting regional economic integration;

2016/02/22
Committee: DEVE

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas by 2050 the EU-28 ~~will~~is projected to account for only 15 % of the world’'s GDP, down from 23.7 % in 2013, and whereas bysince 2015 90 % of world growth ~~will be~~is generated outside Europe;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas the EU is currently the largest trading bloc in the world, controlling a third of world trade, and whereas by 2020 this ~~will~~is projected to decrease to about 26 %;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Nirj DEVA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Recalls that recent EU Free Trade Agreements systematically include provisions on trade and sustainable development in order to maximize the potential of increased trade and investment; welcomes in this respect the conclusion of the EU-Vietnam FTA which is the most ambitious and comprehensive FTA that the EU has ever concluded with a developing country;

2016/02/22
Committee: DEVE

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas other variables such as demographic changes will also have a negative impact on the EU’'s position on the world trade scene; whereas the EU’'s share of the world’'s population is expected to decrease from 7.1 % in 2013 to 5.3 % in 2060; whereas increasing life expectancy coupled to increasing dependency ratios (estimated to increase from 28.8 per 100 people to 49.4 per 100 people in 2050) will present new challenges in maintaining economic growth and social expenditures;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

Ja. whereas the percentage of world trade made up of intermediate goods is nearly 60% of the share of world imports and close to 75% of the imports of large developing countries, such as Brazil and China;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)

Jb. whereas it has been estimated that cross border flows of capital, goods, services and data added an extra $7.8tn to the global economy in 2014, with the added value of data flows alone covering $2.8tn of that total, more than the $2.7tn estimated for trade in goods;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

Adapting faster to quickly changing trends in global trade ~~patterns~~

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)

(1) Believes firmly that any future trade policy must, as core principles, fight all forms of protectionism, notably the reduction of unnecessary non-tariff barriers to trade, ensure new market access for goods, services and procurement, especially for SMEs, promote investment as well as ensuring suitable investment protection provisions, promote high standards of IPR protections, secure new access to raw materials and energy resources , promote regulatory cooperation and raise global standards;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Deplores the fact that the new strategy is not sufficiently focused on the rol~~Believes strongly that while services account for 70% of European economic activity, and will provide 90% of future jobs, that the importance of the EU manufacturing sector ~~in the CCP, which is vital for the reindustrialis~~must in no way be overlooked in the formulation of ~~Europe~~the CCP;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission to regularly update its trade and investment strategy and to publicly present a detailed annual implementation report to Parliament by 31st March of each calendar year;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the Commission’'s attempts to increase transparency and openness at all stages of trade negotiations, such as the Commission’'s TTIP transparency initiative; acknowledges that, after a number of requests from Parliament, the Commission enhanced the transparency of negotiations by providing all Members of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments access to classified negotiating documents and providing more information to stakeholders; recalls that enlarged access to classified information by Members of Parliament in the TTIP negotiations has strengthened parliamentary scrutiny, thereby allowing Parliament to assume its responsibility under the CCP even better; ~~call~~asks the~~refore for a wid~~ Commission to consider extending ~~of the Commission’~~its transparency initiative to ~~extend its key elements to all ongoing trade negotiations~~all ongoing and future trade negotiations, and to consult with partner countries with a view to encouraging the highest standards of transparency;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Council to publish all existing and future negotiating mandates as soon as ~~they are adopted~~is feasibly possible;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that the CCP is to be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union’'s external action as set out in Article 21 TEU; recalls that the EU’'s trade and investment policy must be consistent with other external policies; stresses that the EU has a legal obligation to respect human rights, and should foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of trading countries; points out that in some cases trade and investment agreements may have negative effects contrary to the EU’s external objectives as enshrined in the Treaties; is of the opinion that the EU has a responsibility to help tackle any negative impact caused by its CCP;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 1 (new)

(1) Welcomes the large decrease in the number of people living in absolute poverty since 1990, as defined by the World Bank, notes however, that more needs to be done to catalyse both private and public investment in LDCs to provide the institutional and infrastructural frameworks that will allow LDCs to take better advantage of the benefits offered by trade by helping diversify their economies and integrate into global value chains, permitting them to specialise in higher value added products;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Considers migration to be one of the main challenges the EU is facing in the 21st century; emphasises that the EU’s trade and investment policy choices are fundamental in order to tackle migration; ~~regrets that this has not been sufficiently reflected in the ‘Trade for All’ strategy;~~

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)

(1) Stresses that open trade contributes to wealth creation in developing countries; recalls that there is an evident connection between wealth creation and prosperity and improvement in human rights, social rights and environmental protection over the long run;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Stresses that provisions on human rights and social and environmental standards, and a ~~binding~~ chapter on labour rights based on the ILO’'s core labour rights and corporate social responsibility (CSR), must form ~~an essential~~ part of EU trade agreements9 [1]; calls on the Commission to include sustainable development chapters ~~that are not only legally binding but also enforceable in all EU trade and investment agreements; __________________ 9~~in EU trade and investment agreements; believes that these chapters must progressively reflect the levels of development of trading partners as requested by them while taking into account the specific capacity limitations of the least developed countries; [1] OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31. __________________ 9 OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31. OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31.

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Underlines the importance of effective safeguard mechanisms in trade agreements; calls at the same time~~Calls for the inclusion of an effective enforcement mechanisms for ~~labour~~the trade and einvironmental rights to which the human rights clause does not apply; calls for a mechanism according to which civil society representatives, as well as Members of the European Parliament, are able to request that the Commission commence an investigation into violations by a third party of its obligations under an essential elements clauseestment provisions of agreements, as well as, where appropriate, certain safeguard mechanisms to prevent sudden surges in imports from causing undue harm to industry;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Highlights the importance of Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) and the involvement of civil society in free trade agreements (FTAs); calls for the further strengthening of the work of DAGs; stresses that they should be fully independent; calls on the Commission to take measures to improve the work of DAGs such as providing financial resources, prior informationcivil society in the process of monitoring the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) and the possibility of using more advanced media in order to facilitate civil society participation;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Acknowledg~~Welcomes that the internationalisation of the world’'s production system has resulted in new openings for economic development and an employment-based path out of poverty for hundreds of millions of people; recalls that, while economic growth pulled 669m people out of poverty between 2001 to 2011 and the percentage of the global population living on $2 or less per day was cut in half from 29% to 15%, that according to the ILO, around 780 million active women and men are ~~not~~main unable to earn~~ing~~ enough to be lifted out of poverty; underlines that the expansion of GVCs has created job opportunities but that the weak enforcement of existing labour laws and occupational safety standards in sourcing countries remains a pressing issue to protect workers from exhaustive working hours and unacceptable conditions; notes that it has also propelled some supplier firms to ignore labour laws, engage workers in unsafe and unacceptable conditions, demand exhaustive working hours and deny workers their fundamental rights; recalls that these practices create unfair competition for suppliers that are compliant with labour laws and international labour standards and for governments that want to improve wages and living standards; calls on the Commission topromote the improvement of conditions in GVCs; emphasises that the EU’'s further integration into GVCs must be driven by the dual principles of safeguarding the European social and regulatory model and securing and creating sustainable growth and jobs in the EU and for its partners without misusing the legitimate demand for responsibility measures in international commerce for protectionist means to shield the European market from imports;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point 1 (new)

(1) Recognises that given the global nature of supply chains, the multilateral level is the optimal platform from which to increase standards directed at promoting an effective implementation of existing international guidelines and initiatives, involving all stakeholders; notes the non-mandatory industry approaches that are already contributing positively to improving supply chain standards that should also be considered within this context;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Believes that trade policy must ensure a transparent production process throughout the value chain, as well as compliance with fundamental environment, social, and safety standards; ~~stresses the need for mandatory due diligence throughout the supply chain;~~ welcomes the Commission’'s desire to work closely with the ILO and the OECD to develop a global approach to improving working conditions in the garment sector; underlines the importance of identifying and assessing new sectoral or geographic opportunities for additional responsible supply chain partnerships; looks forward to the Commission’'s upcoming communication on CSR;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 – point 1 (new)

(1) Stresses the importance of high animal welfare standards to EU citizens; calls on the Commission to ensure that live farm animals that are exported to third countries are transported in accordance with EU law on animal welfare;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Commission to improve the quality of both ex-ante and ex- post assessments; stresses the need to always submit a deep sustainability impact assessment, including on human, social and environmental rights, for ~~any~~major trade policy initiative~~; expresses its concern at the lack of interim and ex-post assessments and that the quality of the existing ones is very low, as demonstrated in the European Court of Auditors Special Report 02/2014~~s; insists that ~~high-quality~~ interim and ex- post evaluations be carried out in respect of all trade agreements in order to allow policymakers, stakeholders and European taxpayers to assess whether trade agreements have achieved the intended results; asks the Commission to provide data on the impact of the trade agreements which have been concluded with special regard to SMEs and the creation of jobs;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – point 1 (new)

(1) Welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations on the Trade Facilitation Agreement which will contribute to simplifying and modernising customs procedures in many countries, making it easier in turn for developing countries to integrate into the global trading system; calls for the swift and correct implementation of the agreement by all parties.

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that improvements were achieved at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in 2015; recognises the differences among WTO members on how to proceed as regards the Doha Round, including the need to consider new approaches to solve outstanding issues; welcomes the interest of some WTO members in starting to address new negotiating areas such as, but not limited to, investment, digital trade, state owned enterprises and competition; believes that the outcome of the Nairobi Ministerial Conference provides an opportunity to give new life to the WTO’'s negotiating function; urges the Commission to take the initiative in reforming and strengthening the WTO in order to ensure greater effectiveness, transparency and accountability;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Considers~~Welcomes ongoing plurilateral negotiations within the WTO such as the Information Technology Agreement ~~and~~, the Environmental Goods Agreements ~~to be the second-best option~~and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA); believes firmly that where possible, these agreements must be of sufficient ambition to be applied on a most favoured nation basis among all WTO Members and should act as building blocks for future multilateral agreements; emphasises that trade policy should also be used as a tool for increasing the competiveness of environmentally beneficial products; stresses the importance of multilateralising the ‘'green goods’' initiative and of considering whether bilateral or unilateral trade agreements could provide premium preferences for environmental goods;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Calls on the Commission to focus in a balanced way on the conclusion of the ongoing trade negotiations, and to show the potential benefits of the concluded trade agreements before launching new FTA negotiations; reminds the Commission to carry out a thorough~~, impartial and unprejudiced ex-ante evaluation of~~ scoping exercises and impact assessments, taking into account European interests, before ~~deciding on future FTA partners and negotiation mandate~~adopting draft negotiation mandates with future FTA partners;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 – point 1 (new)

(1) Believes that it is essential first and foremost to ensure that trade negotiations that have been successfully concluded are ratified as swiftly as possible. Calls in particular for the conclusion of deals with Canada and Singapore to ensure the opening up of two large markets that will be vital for the future interests of EU businesses. Calls for an informed debate across Europe during political discussions as votes take place in the European Parliament and in national legislatures;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Underlines, in the context of the current talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the EU- Japan FTA, the high importance of focusing on core soffensitive issues ~~such as the protection of geographical indications (GIs)~~that go beyond tariff elimination such as regulatory cooperation and good regulatory practices, the protection of geographical indications (GIs), the integration of SMEs in global value chains and public procurement when negotiating FTAs;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Insists that trade negotiations follow a tailor-made regional trade strategy, in particular vis-à-vis Asia, Africa and Latin America, which have been identified by the Commission as crucial regions for European economic interests; recalls that Europe and Latin America are natural allies with a combined population of one billion people generating a quarter of global GNP; points out that the potential of this partnership has been insufficiently exploited; welcomes the fact that the Commission’'s new trade and investment strategy puts a key focus on Latin America and calls on the European Commission to take advantage of the current momentum in Mercosur countries, notably in Argentina, so as to unblock the EU- MERCOSUR trade negotiations in order to reach a comprehensive and ambitious agreement; supports the modernisation of the agreements with Mexico and Chile and to consider the possibility in the medium term of a region to region deal between the EU and the Pacific Alliance;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – point 1 (new)

(1) Calls on the Commission to deepen the trade and economic integration of the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, while taking into account the specific ambition of partner countries, supports in this regard all measures to support the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia, including the Tunisian request to conclude an economic integration agreement;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls on the Commission to start negotiations as early as possible for an investment agreement with Taiwan in parallel with the one with China; underlines that, in the context of the migration challenges, special focus should be put on the post-Cotonou framework; asks for further impetus to be given to negotiating FTAs with both Australia and New Zealand in parallel; urges the Commission to re-energise negotiations with Malaysia and to start negotiations with Indonesia as soon as possible following the conclusion of preparatory discussions for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 10

Opening up of new market opportunities for EU service providers and recognition of professional qualifications as an essential element of the EU trade strategy

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Recalls that the EU plays a leading role in the services sector, which accounts not only for over 70% of economic activity in the EU but also 90% of new job creation, and that the EU is the largest exporter of services worldwide; stresses that the opening up of new market opportunities must be an essential element of the EU’'s international trade strategy~~; stresses~~ and that including services in as many sectors as possible in trade agreements is of the utmost importance~~, as it gives opportunities to European companies and domestic employees~~;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point 1 (new)

(1) Requests that the Commission promote and include the recognition of professional qualifications in trade agreements, which will open up new opportunities to European companies and employees, calls specifically for the consideration of incorporating certain benefits of the ICT Directive in to trade and investment agreements in exchange for such recognitions;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Shares the Commission’'s view that the temporary movement of professionals has become essential to increasing business internationally and remains an offensive interest of the EU, especially where it underpins the establishment of EU businesses in trade partners; stresses that a labour mobility chapter should be included in all EU trade and investment agreements; recalls however that Mode 4 commitments must only apply to the movement of highly skilled professionals, such as persons holding a university or equivalent Master's degree or employed in a senior managerial role, for a specific purpose, for a limited period of time and under precise conditions stipulated by the domestic legislation of the country where the service is performed and by a contract respecting such domestic legislation;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – subparagraph 1 (new)

The essential nature of the digital economy to future global trade

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 1 (new)

(1) Notes the growing and future importance of the digital economy, not only in Europe, but worldwide, with an estimated 3.3 billion internet users globally, making up 40% of the world's population, believes that trends such as cloud computing, mobile web services, smart grids and social media are leading to a radically transformed businesses landscape; underlines that EU trade policy must keep up with digital and technological trends;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 2 (new)

(2) Welcomes the Commission's intention to use trade policy to tackle new forms of digital protectionism and to set rules for e-commerce and cross-border data flows in compliance with EU data protection and privacy law and to continue to engage internationally to promote and develop international privacy and personal data protection standards; believes that much more needs to be done to create a climate favourable to e- commerce and entrepreneurship within the EU; stresses that ensuring regulatory cooperation, mutual recognition and harmonisation of standards in the digital trade sector is vital, in order to ensure coherence and certainty for market operators and consumers;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 3 (new)

(3) Requests that the Commission together with WTO partners not only establish a working group on digital trade at the WTO, which should examine in detail the current framework's suitability for electronic commerce, looking at specific recommendations, clarifications and adjustments but also look at establishing a new framework for the trade facilitation in services, building on best practice stemming from the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Is aware that the inclusion of provisions relating to financial services in trade agreements has raised concerns regarding their potential negative effects where money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance are concerned; supports the Commission in its fight against corruption~~; insists that clauses on~~ as a major non-tariff barrier in developed and developing countries; believes that this underlines the importance of ensuring that trading partners work together to ensure compatibility not only of primary prudential regulation through regulatory dialogue and cooperation, but also rules aimed at combatting corruption, money laundering and tax fraud, ambitious provisions for which should be included in all trade and investment agreements;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Asks the Commission to horizontally address SMEs’' needs in all chapters of trade agreements including, but not limited to, the creation of online single points of entry for SMEs to learn about relevant regulation, something of particularly crucial relevance to cross border service providers in terms of licencing and other administrative requirements; in addition, and where appropriate, these tools should cover new market access opportunities for SMEs, particularly for low value tenders; stresses the need to cut trading costs for SMEs through streamlining customs procedures, reducing non-tariff barriers and regulatory burdens and simplifying rules of origin; believes that there is a role to be played by SMEs in helping the Commission to shape these tools to ensure that trade agreements meet their needs; encourages the Commission to maintain close dialogue with SME representatives at all stages of trade negotiations;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Stresses that faster access for European SMEs to anti-dumping procedures is key to protecting them from unfair trade practices; stresses the need for a reform of the WTO multilateral framework in order to better involve SMEs and to ensure faster settlement of disputes;deleted

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Stresses the importance of further debate with stakeholders and Parliament on the Commission’s proposal for the Investment Court System in order to better clarify its impact on the ‘right to regulate’, the annual costs for the EU budget and its compliance withUnderlines that continued investment, both inward and outward, remains of crucial important to Europe's economy and stresses the need to promote and protect investment; notes the adoption of a new approach on investment, as called for by the European Parliament, and its inclusion in the agreements with Canada and Vietnam, and its inclusion in the EU legal ~~order, the pow~~proposal for an investment chapter ofin the EU ~~courts in particular, and more specifically the EU competition rules~~-US free trade agreement;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. ~~Regret~~Notes that the European Fund for Strategic Investments lacks an external dimension~~; invites~~, asks that the Commission tonly consider the creation of a ~~European fund for external strategic investments aimed at reviving investments in strategic projects~~n external arm after careful analysis of the performance of the Fund and an examination of its utility, given the existence of lending by the European Investment Bank, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the action of the European Development Fund; emphasises that ~~such a fund could~~these funds must contribute to sustainable development and decent jobs, tackle poverty and abate the root causes of migration;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Welcomes the Commission’s amended proposal for a regulation on the access of third-country goods and services to the Union’s internal market in public procurement, which is an important tool for ensuring a level playing field in the market access of third countries;deleted

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 – subparagraph 1 (new)

The fight against illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 – point 1 (new)

(1) Remains deeply concerned by the recent surge in wildlife crime and its attendant illegal trade, which is not only having a devastating impact on biodiversity and species numbers but also presents a clear and present danger to livelihoods and local economies, notably in developing countries; welcomes the EU's commitment to eliminate the illegal wildlife trade as part of the EU's response to the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 15, which notes not only the need to ensure the end of poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna but also to address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products; expects, in this regard, the Commission, after a period of reflection including the European Parliament and the Member States to consider how best to include provisions on the illegal wildlife trade in all future EU trade agreements;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Believes that better and more efficient customs procedures in Europe and abroad could help to facilitate trade, meet respective trade facilitation requirements, and fight against counterfeiting of goods entering the single market, which distorts EU economic growth and seriously exposes EU consumers; welcomes the Commission’'s intention to enhance cooperation between customs authorities; calls once more on the Commission and the Members States to set up a unified EU customs service for a more effective application of customs rules and procedures throughout the customs territory of the EU;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 – point 1 (new)

(1) Underlines that the Commission should be seeking in trade agreements the adoption by trading partners of single windows for customs and border compliance, if necessary accompanied by capacity building aid for trade funds, as appropriate;

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. ~~Underlin~~Emphasises that trade ~~agreements and the decline i~~quate communication and strong coordination tar~~iff rates that follows expose customs to greater security and protection concerns; emphasises that adequate communication and strong coordination is essential;~~e required in order to ensure that tariff elimination is accompanied by appropriate technical, institutional and policy measures to ensure continued security of trade

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2105(INI)

Emma McCLARKIN, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to find more sophisticated ways of introducing mitigating measures to redevelop industries and regions that lose out; emphasises that in this respect the European Structural and Investment Funds, and in particular both the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, can play an outstanding role; ~~points out that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund could also be an important instrument if reformed and shaped in a way that it is adequately funded;~~

2016/04/28
Committee: INTA

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 47

— having regard to the work and reports of the International Organization for Migration, including the key finding in one of the reports that over half of the European population believes immigration levels in their countries should be decreased,

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 47 a (new)

- having regard to the work and reports of the International Monetary Fund,

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 47 b (new)

- having regard to the work and report of the OECD, especially their finding about the migration's impact on GDP and other economic aspects,

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas, according to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, around 70% of immigrants are irregular migrants and not refugees; whereas there have been a number of reported cases where irregular migrants are pretending to be refugees from war torn countries;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

~~Article 80 TFEU –~~ Solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility~~, including search and rescue obligations~~

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~Article 80 TFEU puts the principles of~~ 'solidarity' and ~~fair sharing of responsibility at the heart of the whole of the Union system, providing a legal basis for the implementation of these principles in~~'responsibility' go hand in hand and the former cannot be deemed more important at the expense of the latter, especially in relation to the Union policies on asylum, migration and border control;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas solidarity can take ~~the~~many forms of internal and external solidarity; and whereas relocation, mutual recognition of asylum decisions, operational support measures, a pro-active interpretation of the current Dublin Regulation and the Temporary Protection Directive are all tools for internal solidarity, whileand the interpretation of the word should not be used in benefit of certain interests; whereas resettlement, humanitarian admission and search and rescue at sea promote external solidarity;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas migrant smuggling~~, trafficking and labour exploitation are distinct legal phenomena requiring properly targeted responses, while often overlapping in practice~~ is a significant push factor that has noticeably exacerbated the European migration crisis; whereas migrant smuggling, trafficking and labour exploitation are all aspects that require immediate properly targeted responses; and whereas criminal smuggling and trafficking networks can change their modus operandi very quickly, thus requiring rapidly adapted responses based on the most recent and accurate data;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas the fight against migrant smuggling, trafficking and labour exploitation necessitates both short, medium and long-term responses, including measures to disrupt criminal networks and to bring criminals to justice, the gathering and analysis of data, measures to protect victims and to swiftly and effectively return irregularly staying migrants, as well as cooperation with third countries and longer-term strategies to address the demand for trafficked and smuggled persons and the root causes of migration ~~which~~, some of which often force people into the hands of criminal smugglers;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. whereas the overwhelming majority of people using the services of the smugglers to reach Europe via Mediterranean do so voluntarily and have a choice to avoid people smugglers;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas ~~86 % of the world’s refugee population is hosted by non-industri~~criminal networks and smugglers facilitate the illegali seda c~~ountrie~~rossings; and whereas ~~criminal networks and~~the smugglers also exploit the ~~desperation~~willingness of people trying to enter the EU ~~whil~~, many of which are fleeing persecution or war;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital M

M. whereas safe and legal routes for ~~refugee~~migrants to access the EU are ~~limited, and~~available, yet many continue to take the risk of embarking on dangerous routes facilitated by smugglers, often being a part of wider criminal networks; and whereas the creation of new safe and lawful routes for ~~asylum seekers and~~genuine refugees to enter the EU, building on existing legislation and practices, would allow the EU and the Member States to have a better overview of the protection needs and of the inflow into the EU and to undermine the business model of the smugglers;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital P

P. whereas the EU has intensified its external cooperation with third countries in migration and asylum ~~to respond adequately~~in attempt to respond to the current ~~refugee~~migration crisis, and has launched new cooperation initiatives such as the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan, the commitments taken on the Western Balkans Routes and the Aaction Plan adopted at the Valetta sSummit;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

~~Developing adequate legal economic migration channels~~The mass migration impact on demographics and employment

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital Q

Q. whereas the ~~working-age popul~~inflow of migrants is already unmanageable and unsustainable but the recent immigration wave will not significantly improve the demographic situation inof the EU as the working-age population is projected to decline by 7.5 million by 2020; whereas projections on the development of labour market needs in the EU points to emerging and future shortages in specific fields; and whereas third-country nationals ~~face many difficulties in obtaining recognition of their foreign qualifications, and therefore tend to be over-qualified for their job~~cannot offset these future shortages;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital R

R. whereas the current EU approach to labour migration is fragmented, with numerous directives focusing on specific categories of workers and of third-country nationals who are, under certain conditions, allowed to work; and whereas this approach can only serve to meet short-term, specific needvarious studies have shown that mass immigration has at least a short term negative impact on natives workers' wages, especially in the lower income wage earner groups;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital U

U. whereas the CEAS includes a set of common rules for a common asylum policy, a uniform asylum status and common asylum procedures valid throughout the Union; whereas, however, many alerts, including the infringement decisions adopted by the Commission, show that the CEAS has not been fully implemented in many Member States; whereas implementation is ~~essential~~necessary in order to harmonise national laws and ~~promote solidarity~~ among Member States, and whereas Member States can seek supporting assistance from EASO to meet the standards required by the CEAS; whereas, however, harmonisation of reception conditions and asylum procedures ~~can avoid stress on countries offering better conditions and are key to responsibility sharing~~are unlikely to change the migrants' perception of certain Member States and their willingness to seek asylum in specific countries;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that solidarity must be the principle upon which Union action on migration is based; notes that the principle of solidarity, as set out in Article 80 TFEU, covers asylum, immigration and border control policies; takes the view that Article 80 provides a legal basis ‘jointly’ with Articles 77-79 TFEU to implement the principle of solidarity in those areais a two-way process and the Member States' diverging views on the issue of the European migration crisis have to be respected; takes the view that the word 'solidarity' has been misused within the context of the European migration crisis;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Stresses that solidarity cannot be deemed more important and be at the expense of responsibility;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Starts from the premise that people smugglers have exacerbated the European migration crisis and have been responsible for countless deaths at sea, however, saving lives must be a ~~first~~mong the top priorityies and ~~that~~ proper funding, at Union and Member State level, for search and rescue operations is essential; notes that there has been an increase in ~~the number of~~ irregular arrivals by sea and an alarming increase ~~in the number~~ of deaths at sea throughout 2015, and ~~that~~ a better European response to the migration crisis is still required;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Takes the view that a permanent, robust and effective Union response in search and rescue operations at sea ~~is crucial~~will not stop the flow of immigrants, but is nevertheless one of the steps that needs to be taken to prevent~~ing~~ an escalating death toll of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Suggests, i~~In that respect, suggests that search and rescue capacities must be strengthened, and that Member States’' governments must deploy ~~more~~ resources –within their means – both, in terms of financial assistance and assets –- in the context of a Union- wide humanitarian operation, dedicated to finding, rescuing and assisting migrants in peril and bringing them to the closest place of safety;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for a clear distinction to be made between those persons who are smuggled into the Union and those who are trafficked into the Union because, whil~~e the policy response must be properly integrated~~st both activities are criminal, they must ~~also~~ be properly targeted; states that, in general terms, the criminal smuggling of migrants involves facilitating the irregular entry of a person to a Member State, whereas human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation or reception of a person through the use of violent, deceptive or abusive means, for the purpose of exploitation;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Holds that ~~any holistic approach to migration must necessarily contain~~ measures aimed at disrupting the activities of criminal networks involved in the trafficking and smuggling of people has to be among the top priorities in the context of the European migration crisis;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Welcom~~Notes the ~~positive~~limited role played by navy vessels in saving lives at sea and in disrupting criminal networks to date; s~~upports the aims of~~tresses that navy operations such as Operation Sophia~~, and~~ have been unsuccessful in reducing the number of people being smuggled to Europe via Mediterranean Sea; further stresses the need to protect life, emphasising that all aspects of the operation should ensure that migrant lives are protected;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that military operations should not be the predominate aspect of any holistic approach to migration and reiterates that Operation Sophia must not distract assets already deployed in the Mediterranean from saving lives at seaPoints out that seizing of vessels used by smugglers has a potential to exacerbate the numbers of deaths at sea as they are adapting their modus operandi accordingly and opting instead for more disposable, often sea unworthy boats that further endanger the lives of migrants;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Points out that, since criminals can and do change their modus operandi very quickly, policy responses must adapt to the most recent and accurate data; notes, as a positive step forward, that the Commission adopted a Union Action Plan against Migrant Smuggling on 27 May 2015 (‘'the Action Plan on Smuggling~~’),~~') under which it, among other initiatives, provides for the setting up of a Contact Group of Union Agencies on migrant smuggling, to strengthen their operational cooperation and information exchange; notes, however, that other initiatives included in the Action Plan, such as the development of counter narrative in the media to uncover the smugglers' lies have limited added value;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Recalls that the process of relocation – that is to say, transferring an applicant for international protection, or a beneficiary of international protection, from one Member State to another – is a practical example of solidarity within the Union; recalls, in addition, that, since 2009, Parliament has been calling for a binding mechanism for the distribution of asylum seekers among all the Member Staten unhelpful way to tackle the problem of mass immigration of people and is in contradiction to an idea of holistic approach in solving the migration crisis;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Notes that, within the last year, the Council has adopted two decisions on temporary relocation measures in the Union (‘Relocation Decisions’)9 , ~~and that they~~despite clear concerns and opposition expressed by some Member States. Further notes that as in the case of the latter of the two Relocation Decisions there was no consensus amongst the Member States, majority voting was used instead and four Member States voted against the relevant Relocation Decision that involves the transfer of applicants of international protection from Greece and Italy to other Member States; observes that~~, although the~~ Relocation Decisions ~~do not end the current Dublin rules on allocation of responsibility, they do constitute a ‘temporary derogation’ from the Dublin rules~~are effectively putting the Dublin rules on hold in the foreseeable future; __________________ 9 Council Decision (EU) 2015/1523 and Council Decision (EU) 2015/1601.

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Takes the view that the establishment of urgent relocation measures is not a move in the right direction, ands ca~~lls on~~n be witnessed by the Member States to' slow fulfilment of their obligations with regard to those measures ~~as soon as possible~~;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Recalls that, for the purposes of the Relocation Decisions, relocation will cover only those nationalities for which the proportion of positive decisions granting international protection in the Union has been 75 % or more for the preceding three months, on the basis of Eurostat data; notes that the Relocation Decisions will affect a relatively small number of people, and will leave out the large numbers of applicants originating from other third countries who cannot be relocated under those decisionso date the Member States’ implementation of Relocation Decisions have been slow;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Notes, in addition, that Member States of first arrival ~~will therefore have to handle the more complicated asylum claims (and appeals), wil~~have to handle most asylum claims (and appeals) and to date have been often doing so in a very lax manner, with cases reported of migrants pretending to be from refugee producing countries and being registered accordingly; further notes that Member States of first arrival have to organise longer periods of reception, and ~~will~~, in theory, have to organise and coordinate returns for those ultimately not entitled to international protection;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is of the opinion that~~, in addition to~~ the Relocation Decisions is an unconstructive approach to help solve the migration crisis at the Union level and at the very least the weighting of the criteria contained in the ~~Relocation~~ Decisions, namely the GDP of the Member State, the population of the Member State, the unemployment rate in the Member State, and the past numbers of asylum seekers in the Member State, should be reconsidered in future; notes that consideration should be given to ~~two~~ other criteria, ~~namely, the size of the territory of the Member State and the population density of the Member State~~including but not exclusively, the Member States' willingness to accept the relocated migrants, the Member States' readiness to process the relocated asylum applicants as well as the readiness of the Member States to physically settle and house the arriving migrants;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Believes that the preferences of the applicant should~~, as much as practically possible, be taken into account when carrying out~~ be determined before the decision of relocation is taken; recognises that ~~this is one way of discouraging secondary movements and encouraging applicants themselves to accept r~~secondary movement of migrants within the Union cannot be effectively discouraged and is a further proof that the Relocation dDecisions~~, but that it should not stop the relocation proces~~ adopted are unhelpful in solving the migration crisis;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Further believes that the societies of the host Member States, in the context of migrant relocation scheme, need to be adequately informed about the potential costs of receiving and settling of migrants which, among other aspects, can result in deficit spending; notes, at the same time, that, as found by a number of studies, the economic benefits of immigration are marginal whilst the impact on such values as social capital are more noticeable;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 14

On resettlement and refugee camps

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Takes the view that resettlement is one of the preferred options for granting safe and lawful access to the Union for true refugees and those in need of international protection, where the refugees can neither return to their home countries nor receive effective protection or be integrated into the host country;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Points out that, given the unprecedented flows of migrants that have reached and continue to reach the Union’'s external borders, and the steady increase in the number of people asking for international protection, the Union needs a binding ~~and mandatory~~ legislative approach to resettlement, as set out in the Commission’'s agenda for mMigration; recommends that, to have an impact, such an approach must provide for resettlement of a meaningful number of refugees, with regard to the overall numbers of refugees seeking international protection in the Union;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Underlines that there is a need for a permanent Union-wide resettlement programme, with ~~mandatory~~ participation by Member States, providing resettlement for a meaningful number of refugees, having regard to the overall number of refugees seeking protection in the Union;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Understands that all refugees seeking asylum in Europe cannot be resettled in a short timeframe and therefore more work needs to be done on establishment of safe refugee camps in third countries;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Observes that the operation of the Dublin III Regulation10 has raised many questions linked to ~~fairness and solidarity in the allocation of the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection~~effectiveness of the Regulation, including the responsibility for Member States to uphold the commonly agreed rules; notes that the current system does not take into sufficient consideration the particular migratory pressure faced by Member States situated at the Union’'s external borders; believes that the European Union needs to accept the on-going difficulties with the Dublin logic, and to develop options ~~for solidarity both among its Member States and the migrants concerned;~~ that are in line with the objective of tackling the European migration crisis; __________________ 10 Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast) (OJ L 180, 29.6.2013, p. 31).

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Points out that the pressure placed on the system – as established by the Dublin Regulation – by the rising number of migrants arriving in the Union has shown that, as implemented, the system, among other aspects, has largely failed to achieve its ~~two primary~~ goals of ~~establishing objective and fair criteria for allocation of responsibility and of providing swift access to international protection~~deterring multiple asylum claims (so-called 'asylum shopping');

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Further points out that, at the same time, the incidence of secondary movements across the Union remains high; views it as self-evident that~~, since its creation, the Dublin system was not designed to share responsibility among Member States, but that it~~ within the context of the European migration crisis the first Member State legally responsible for processing of the asylum claims under the Dublin system is rarely the country of choice for arriving irregular migrants; notes that since its creation, the Dublin system's main purpose was to ~~assign~~ swiftly assign responsibility for processing an asylum application to a single Member State;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. ~~Recommend~~Notes that the criteria on which the Relocation Decisions are based are largely unhelpful and therefore should not be built directly into the Union’'s standard rules for allocating responsibility; further recommends that the concerns of the Member States, especially those with little experience of immigration, should be taken into account; emphasises that, in reviewing the Dublin Regulation, it is important to reflect on the value of describing certain asylum seekers as ‘'applicants in clear need of international protection’', since those migrants and refugees who do not fall into that category would still – at least under the current system – have to be dealt with by the Member State of first arrival;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Points out that one option for a fundamental overhaul of the Dublin system would be to establish a central collection of applications at Union level – viewing each asylum seeker as someone seeking asylum in the Union as a whole ~~and not in an individual Member State – and to establish a~~; understands, however, that most migrants within the ceont~~ral system for the allocation of responsibility for any persons seeking asylum in the Union; suggests that such a system could provide for certain relative thresholds per~~ext of the European migration crisis want to make their asylum claims and settle in just some Member State,s above which no further allocation of responsibility could be made until all other Member States have met their own thresholds, which could conceivably help in deterring secondary movements, as all Member States would be fully involved in the centralised system and no longer have individual responsibility for allocation of applicants to other Member States; believes that such a system could function on the basis of a number of Union ‘hotspots’ from where Union distribution should take place; underlines that any new system for allocation of responsibility must incorporate the key concepts of family unity and the best interests of the childnd no amending of existing rules is going to change that in near future; regrets that certain Member States have knowingly suspended the application of Dublin system in order to welcome migrants, thus also worsening the uncontrolled influx of people in the Union;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Believes that the asylum systems of some frontline Member States are already clearly overburdened and ~~that~~ the Temporary Protection Directive shcould – under its own logic – have been triggered; calls, in any case, for a clear definition of ‘'mass influx’' to be established upon revision of this dDirective; understands that such a revision of the Temporary Protection Directive can form part of the review of the Dublin system;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Emphasises that hosting Member States must within their means offer refugees support and opportunities to integrate and build a life in their new society and – as provided for in the Qualifications Directive12 – this should also include effective access to democratic structures in society; emphasises that integration is a two-way process and that respect for the values upon which the EU is built must be an integral part of the integration process; understands that there can be no forced integration of people unwilling to accept the way of life of certain Member States; further understands that within the context of the Relocation Decisions, relocated migrants cannot effectively be integrated in a way to discourage secondary movement within the Union; __________________ 12 Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted (OJ L 337, 20.12.2011, p. 9).

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Underlines that Member States should overcome any legal and practical obstacles to arrive at swifter decisions on family reunification; notes, however, that this should not come at the expense of other relevant aspects such as thorough background checks to insure safety and security of the relevant societies;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. ~~Understand~~Stresses that the safe and swift return of those people who, following an individual assessment of their asylum application, are determined not to be eligible for protection in the Union is something that must be carried out as part of the proper implementation of the CEAS;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Acknowledges that, in the light of the fact that, in 2014, only 36 % of third country nationals who were ordered to leave the Union were effectively returned, there is a need to improve the effectiveness of the Union’s return system;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Believes that the return of migrants should only be carried out safely, in full compliance with the fundamental and procedural rights of the migrants in question, and where the country to which they are being returned is safe for them;, reiterates, in that regard, that voluntary return should be prioritised over forced returns, but cannot alone insure that a meaningful number of migrants physically leave the Union;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Suggests that any attempt, however rare, by Member States to ‘'push -back’' migrants who have not been given the opportunity to present asylum claims runs contrary to Union and iInternational lLaw, and ~~that~~ the Commission should take appropriate action against any Member State that attempts such ‘'push -backs’';

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Re~~gre~~spects the ~~current situation in which Member States apply different lists, containing different safe countries, hampering uniform application and incentivising secondary movement~~fact that Member States are free to create their own lists, containing different safe countries;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Understands that the recently proposed European Border and Coast Guard is intended to effectively replace Frontex and is meant to ensure a European integrated border management at the external borders with a view to managing migration effectively and ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union, while safeguarding the free movement of persons therein;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76

76. Believes that such a revision is necessary and should consider introducing a system allowing for victims of trafficking and ~~criminal smuggling~~ to come forward and aid in the effective prosecution of a trafficker or criminal smuggler without fear of being prosecuted themselves;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78

78. Underlines that another ~~crucial step in dismantl~~step in weakening criminal smuggling and trafficking networks is to ~~prioritise~~step up financial investigations~~, as~~: tracking and confiscating the profits of those criminal networks is ~~essential if they are~~one way to be weaken~~ed and eventually dismantled; calls, in this regard,~~ them; understands, however, that effective dismantling of criminal networks facilitating people smuggling will not be possible for as long as there is a constant demand to use the services of the smugglers; calls for the Member States to transpose swiftly and effectively the fFourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80

80. Points out that the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) pillar on asylum and international protection should be developed further, with greater involvement of third countries; notes that current actions in this field, under Regional Protection Programmes (RPPs) or Regional Development and Protection Programmes (RDPPs), focus on capacity building to tackle criminal smuggling and human trafficking networks within third countries of origin and transit; notes, at the same time, that the resettlement component of these programmes continues to be weak; believes that capacity-building efforts and resettlement activities should be stepped up and carried out together with third countries hosting large refugee populations that are unable to cope with the numbers;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82

82. Understands that the external dimension should focus on cooperation with third countries in tackling the root causes of, and ~~address~~working towards stopping, irregular flows to Europe; understands that partnerships and cooperation with key countries of origin, transit and destination should continue to be a focus, for example through the Khartoum and Rabat processes, the Africa-EU migration and mobility dialogue, the Budapest Process and the Prague Process;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87

87. Points out that many smuggled persons have some level of awareness of the risks they will face on a ~~potentially~~ hazardous trip to Europe, but choose to embark on the journey regardless, as they assess those risks to be lower than those they would face if they were not to migrate;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88

88. ~~Welcom~~Notes the fact that the Action Plan on Smuggling links the launching of new awareness-raising campaigns to the assessment of existing ones; recommends that any such campaigns should contain information on the criteria to be used to determine protection status in the Union, since such information may convince some migrants – who risk embarking on a perilous journey only to be returned if they are not granted protection – not to make the journey;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88 a (new)

88a. Is of the view that awareness-raising campaigns need to be implemented across the Member States as well in order to inform the citizens about the relevant aspects of mass migration, including its impact on the Member States' economies;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89

89. Reaffirms that the Union must adopt a long-term strategy to help counteract the ‘'push factors’' in third countries (persecution, conflict, generalised violence or extreme poverty)~~, which force people into the hands of criminal smuggling networks, which they see as their only chance to reach the Union~~ as well as the 'pull factors' (among them, the role of people smugglers in facilitating illegal sea crossings as well as the unilateral welcoming of migrants by some Member States, in some cases ignoring the common rules);

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 91

91. Highlights that the recent increase ind arrivals of refugees into the Union has shown that~~, on their own,~~ the extent of preventive measures are to date have not been sufficient ~~for manag~~and need to be stepped up; stresses that the measures already taken and any future initiatives in regards to strengthening of the ~~current migration phenomena~~Union's external borders will not be effective if, among other factors, some Member States encourage mass immigration in the meantime;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92

92. Understands that, in the long -term, greater impetus is needed in helping to solv~~ing~~e the geo-political and other issues that affect the root causes of migration~~, as~~ – war, poverty, corruption, hunger, and a lack of opportunities meand the role played by people smugglers; realises that people will still ~~feel forced to flee~~continue migrating to Europe unless Europe ~~looks at how to help re-build those countries; points out that this means~~helps overcome some of the above problems; understands, however, that it is beyond the reach and is not the Union's unilateral responsibility to solve the above problems; notes that most problems related to root causes of migration cannot be overcome quickly and easily; Points out that the Commission and ~~the~~ Member States, where appropriate, must put up the money to help build capacity in third countries,; such as by facilitating investment and education,; strengthening and enforcing asylum systems,; helping to manage borders better, and reinforcing legal and judicial systems there;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 100

100. ~~Encourag~~Notes theat Member States ~~to take full~~, if necessary and where appropriate, can take advantage of the possibilities offered by funds which are not directly related to migration policy, but which can be used to fund actions in that area (e.g. integration actions), such as ~~those available~~ under the European Social Fund, the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, Horizon 2020, the European Regional Development Fund and the Rights and Citizenship Programme;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 101

101. Recommends that, under the MFF review scheduled for the end of 2016, substantial additional resources be provided under the Union budget, Heading 3, on Citizenship, Freedom, Security and Justice, so that adequate funding is ~~made~~ available on the basis of migration trends and the attendant financial requirements for the Union’s and ~~the~~ Member States’ asylum, migration and integration policies; stresses, however, that without a proper framework to tackle the European migration crisis, increase in funding alone will not help solve the wider problem of large scale immigration;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 38

On demographic trends and employment

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 104

104. Notes that, prior the increased migratory flows into the Union in 2015, according to an OECD and Commission study of 2014, the working-age population (15-64) in the Union will decline by 2.2% (7.5 million) between 2013 and 2020, and that if net migration were to be excluded from their projections, the decline would be even more pronounced, as it would amount to a reduction of the working age population by 11.7 million; stresses that, according to the same report, European labour force, despite declining population, is actually projected to increase by 1.2% between 2010 and 2020; further stresses that whilst the current levels of mass immigration to Europe are unsustainable for extended periods for socio-economic and other reasons, the inflow of people, however large, is not going to noticeably rejuvenate the European population; stresses, therefore, that the demographic arguments cannot be used in support of large scale immigration, especially if the demographic benefits are singled out at the expense of other aspects that contain significant risks which are deliberately overlooked;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105

105. Points out, nevertheless, that, as of ~~Nov~~December 2015~~, the youth unemployment rate across all the Member States stood at 20 %~~ the unemployment rates in the European Union and the Euro Area stood at 9% and 10.4% respectively, whilst the youth unemployment rate across all the Member States stood at 19.7%; stresses that such levels are still too high, whilst at the same time a number of studies have found a short-term negative link between immigration and the native workers' unemployment levels; further stresses that current studies about the impact on unemployment levels caused by immigration may be too optimistic as they rely on a small sample whereas the current levels of immigration to the EU are unprecedented;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106

106. ~~Further n~~Notes that, according to recent Euro~~stat projections, the ratio of~~ pean Commission report, using data from Eurostat, the demographic old-age dependency ratio (people aged 65 or ~~older,~~above relative to those aged 15 to 64~~, will~~) is projected to increase from 27.5 8% at the beginning of 2013 to ~~almost~~ 50 % by 2050; notes that thisat would mean a change from ~~the present ratio of four~~4 working-age persons for every person aged 65 or oldver at present to only ~~two~~2 working- age persons for everyone aged 65 or older; notes, however, that the particular report does already project significant net migration and therefore the current inflow of migrants, however large, will not significantly reduce the worsening old-age dependency ratio;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107 a (new)

107a. Notes that short-term economic rationale in the context of labour migration should not be prioritised over other aspects, including those related to the immigration's impact on local workers' displacement and wage depression risks, the impact to the social capital as well as the potential security risks;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 111

111. Takes the view that, in the long run, the Union ~~will need to establish mor~~, if necessary, can propose general rules governing the entry and residence for those third-country nationals seeking employment in the Union to fill the potential gaps identified inby the ~~Union~~Member States in their labour markets;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 113

113. Believes that better data and improved tools for analysing such data can only help policy-makers determine future labour migration policies, and that the Union and the Member States should identify potential gaps in their labour markets that could help them fill jobs that would otherwise remain vacant;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 120

120. Reiterates that the Commission’s Implementation Report on the current Blue Card Directive underlines its ~~flaw~~shortcomings, including the very limited level of harmonisation brought about by the wide discretion in implementation it gives the Member States, in particular the right for Member States to maintain parallel national schemes;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2095(INI)

Roberts ZĪLE, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 121

121. Believes, moreover, that it is clear that the directive should focus not just on the highly-qualified, but also on targeted high- qualification occupations where there are proven labour shortages; believes, in addition, that the revision of the Blue Card should be both ambitious and targeted, and should seek to remove the inconsistencies of the existing directive, particularly as regards parallel national schemes; recommends that thought be given to revising the scope to include those third- country nationals who could help tackle the potential gaps identified in EU labour markets;

2016/02/22
Committee: LIBE

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement is the first FTA conducted by the EU with an Asian partner, supporting EU efforts to secure a footstep in the rapidly growing Asian market and the aim to agree a EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in the long run;

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas since the provisional application of the Agreement in 2011 the Euro has lost 20% of its value, which has substantially favoured EU exports to Korea and meant important slowdown of Korean imports. Thus, there is the possibility, that Korean economists and politicians see the monetary policy in the Eurozone as a "beggar-thy-neighbour- policy". It favours the Eurozone exporters, but reduces the consumers purchasing power in the Eurozone;

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – introductory part

7. Acknowledges that, while the Agreement meets the expectations of the parties, the following issues should be analysed and ~~verifi~~revised under the Agreement:

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point a a (new)

(aa) direct transport clause which prevents companies maximising their containers shipments through better management of the hubs in Singapore or Hong-Kong; calls for introduction of a non-alteration clause;

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point d a (new)

(da) relevant tariff schedule annex of products;

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Supports the further deepening of trade and investment relations between the EU and Korea - the Investment Chapter in the free trade agreement in particular - and the involvement of the parties to the Agreement in creating further economic growth, welfare gains and development for the benefit of EU and Korean citizens;

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Stresses further enhancing of international cooperation in the multilateral, plurilateral and regional international framework, in the context of the WTO, such as in relation to negotiations on the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA);

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2059(INI)

Joachim STARBATTY, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Stresses that strategic values of the EU-Korea FTA extend beyond the sphere of trade as it lays a solid foundation for a deeper relationship with long-term engagement and it contributes to the establishment of a strategic partnership between the EU and South Korea;

2016/12/09
Committee: INTA

2015/2051(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the EU to place protection at the heart of humanitarian action by creating a compliance system and by mainstreaming it into programming; stresses the need for the institutionalisation of the role of protection officers and for the development of strategic and integrated approaches with sufficient funds for protection activities in the first phase of emergencies; urges the EUand to commit more strongly to a human rights- based approach in humanitarian action to ensure that both the needs and rights of specific vulnerable groups are respected;

2015/10/21
Committee: DEVE

2015/2051(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Highlights the important role that the EU Aid Volunteers scheme can play in putting into practice the decisions taken at the future WHS and a revised EU Humanitarian Consensus; stresses that their experience, alongside other humanitarian activists can play a vital role in establishing best practices and implementation tools;

2015/10/21
Committee: DEVE

2015/2051(INI)

Nirj DEVA, Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Emphasises the role of new technologies and innovative digital tools in the organisation and delivery of the humanitarian aid, especially with regards to aid delivery and tracking, disaster surveillance, information sharing, coordination between donors and facilitating relations between aid agencies and local governments, particularly in remote areas and disaster zones; highlights that Africa, and especially Sub- Saharan Africa, is currently undergoing a mobile digital revolution with a surge in mobile subscriptions ( and Internet use on mobile), makings such tools and services crucial for putting in place early warning systems and for providing speedy information on health matters, danger areas and aid contacts;

2015/10/21
Committee: DEVE

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)

-A. whereas trade plays a powerful role in promoting business opportunities, creating prosperity and increasing employment as well as in driving economic development, social progress, living standards, quality of life and improvement of human rights standards in the long-term;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)

-Aa. whereas Governments that encourage open markets have the best chance of generating inclusive and sustainable economic growth;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)

-Ab. whereas the EU underlines its firm commitment to promote sustainable development as reaffirmed in its ‘Trade for All’ strategy , human rights and good governance through incentive based means - GSP+ and the preferential market access provisions in countries committed to implementing core international conventions in those areas;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas EU trade policies could contribute positively to the harmonisation process in the direction of implementation and development of human rights (HR), social and environmental sustainability; whereas it must be ensured that trade and investment agreements not reduce their ability to meet their HR obligations, which must prevail over investors and profits interests; whereas there is public concern about the detrimental impact on the concrete enjoyment of HR and labour standards of non-tariff barrier reduction; ~~whereas the new generation of trade agreements risks acting as a back-door deregulation instrument;~~

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Stresses that the EU’s long-term record in accounting for social and environmental issues within the context of its trade diplomacy is already ahead of other major global trade players; underlines that the human rights engagements of our trading partners provide a solid basis for ongoing dialogue, cooperative process and progressive improvement in the long-term; warns against politicizing international trade by making it an arena for human rights issues;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to inc~~orporate a gender- sensitive~~rease their efforts to promote the economic empowerment of women; recommends including a gender mainstreaming approach into all their policies, as well as into EU trade strategy, guaranteeing inter alia effective compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); ~~calls on the Commission to draw up an in-depth, binding impact assessment of the EU trade strategy from the perspective of women, HR and gender;~~

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – introductory part

5. ~~Remains concerned about the too limited effects of traditional HR clauses in ensuring that the EU fulfils its HR obligations and commitments; c~~Calls on the Commission and the Council to comprehensively rethink the protection and guarantees offered to HR in FTAs and IPAs and to propose a new model for a set of binding HR clauses, in particular through:

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b

(b) introduction of mechanisms for ~~mandatory~~ periodic HR impact assessments, including through the establishment of an interinstitutional committee,

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a

(a) a preliminary commitment by each of the parties to ~~ratify and~~ transpose into national law and to implement the eight core and four priority ILO Conventions,

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point b

~~(b) a general dispute settlement mechanism directly accessible to the social partners and civil society,~~deleted

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c

(c) more than a merely incentives-based approach: sanctions must cause an effective suspension of trade benefits in the form of countervailing duties. ~~In addition to sanctions, a decision may requir~~however, warns against counterproductive effects of these san action ~~plan that could include legislative and/or regulatory reforms~~s to the cause of open societies, human rights and international cooperation;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

~~9. Regrets the Commission decision to finalise the agreement with Vietnam before the conclusion of the human rights impact assessment (HRIA);~~deleted

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Firmly demands that HRIAs and sustainability impact assessments (SIAs) ~~become binding and~~ begin at an early stage in order to inform negotiating positions even before they are formulated;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Acknowledges the Commission’s efforts to negotiate a plurilateral agreement on green goods; calls on the Commission to focus on a diversified strategy that can also address anti-dumping policies in the renewable energy sector, intellectual property regimes, tight financing programmes ~~and the lack of national environmental policies that create the demand for such goods~~;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Urges the EU to reconsider its~~Recognises the importance of intellectual property rights (IPRs) policy with a view to a less stringent interpretation of property rights and a clear recognition of governments’ power to apply additional requirements in drawing up domestic legislation and to adopt and use intellectual property flexibilities in order to realise HR, including those covering geographical indications for both agricultural and processed agricultural products, requests that the Commission continue to ensure respect for GIs in trade agreements in addition to ensuring sufficient protection for intellectual property so that innovators are encouraged to invest in research and development in new technologies;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Recalls that the EU is the World’s leading actor in terms of National Action Plans for CSR; calls on the Commission to actively promote responsible business conduct amongst EU companies operating abroad with a special focus on ensuring strict compliance with all their legal obligations stemming from either domestic laws or any bilateral or international legal obligations that their business operations are subject to therein, not least, compliance with international standards and rules in the areas of human rights, labour and environment; to achieve this aim, further suggests that the Commission actively engages with its partner countries to exchange best practices and know-how on ways and means to improve the business environment and awareness concerning responsible business conduct;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Regards as insufficient the~~Notes continuous efforts towards the inclusion of CSR clauses in the TSD chapters and asks the Commission to step up its efforts towards achieving compliance by companies, throughout their supply chains, and full respect for ILO core labour standards and internationally recognised CSR standards;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Believes it is crucial to ensure increased access to information on the conduct of enterprises; considers it fundamental to introduce a ~~mandatory~~ reporting system and due diligence for EU companies that outsource their production to third countries;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/2038(INI)

Jan ZAHRADIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Calls on the EU and the Member States to pro~~mote binding measures to ensure that companies pay taxes where economic activities take place and value is created, and to promote compulsory country-by- country rep~~vide good governance in tax matters and effective tax collection and ensuring it is given priority on the agenda in its policy dialogue (political, development and trade) and to support the role of civil society in ensuring public scrutiny of tax governance and monitorting ~~by the private sector~~of cases concerning tax fraud;

2016/03/15
Committee: INTA

2015/0269(COD)

Richard SULÍK, Jussi HALLA-AHO, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Bernd KÖLMEL, Ulrike TREBESIUS, Joachim STARBATTY, Anders VISTISEN, Jørn DOHRMANN, Bernd LUCKE, Angel DZHAMBAZKI, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Petr MACH, Ivan ŠTEFANEC, Eduard KUKAN, Edward CZESAK, Tomasz Piotr PORĘBA, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Timothy KIRKHOPE

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)

(3a) It should be specified in this Directive that the activities of a dealer include not only the manufacturing but also the modification or conversion a firearm, such as the shortening of a complete firearm, and in addition the commercial modification or conversion of parts of firearms and of ammunition, and that, therefore, only authorised dealers should be permitted to engage in those activities. This Directive should not apply to reloading of ammunition for personal use or making legal modifications and conversions to a firearm for which a person has an authorization.

2016/04/29
Committee: IMCO

2015/0269(COD)

Jan ZAHRADIL, Richard SULÍK

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 b (new)

(3b) It should be specified that the activities of a dealer include not only the manufacturing but also the modification or conversion a firearm, such as the shortening of a complete firearm, and in addition the modification or conversion of parts of firearms and of ammunition, provided that it affects the category of such a firearm or ammunition, and that, therefore, only authorised dealers should be permitted to engage in those activities.

2016/04/29
Committee: IMCO

2015/0269(COD)

Richard SULÍK, Jussi HALLA-AHO, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Bernd KÖLMEL, Ulrike TREBESIUS, Joachim STARBATTY, Anders VISTISEN, Jørn DOHRMANN, Bernd LUCKE, Angel DZHAMBAZKI, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Petr MACH, Ivan ŠTEFANEC, Eduard KUKAN, Edward CZESAK, Tomasz Piotr PORĘBA, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Timothy KIRKHOPE

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4

(4) BCollectors and bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognised as such by the Member State in whose territory they are established ~~and~~ shoulding in their possession firearms classified in category A acquired before the date of entry into force of this Directive should be able to keep those firearms in their possession subject to authorisation by the Member State concerned and provided that those firearms have been deactivat be able to keep and acquire firearms classified in category A subject to authorisation by the Member State concerned.

2016/04/29
Committee: IMCO

Richard SULÍK, Jussi HALLA-AHO, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Bernd KÖLMEL, Ulrike TREBESIUS, Joachim STARBATTY, Anders VISTISEN, Jørn DOHRMANN, Bernd LUCKE, Angel DZHAMBAZKI, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Petr MACH, Ivan ŠTEFANEC, Eduard KUKAN, Edward CZESAK, Tomasz Piotr PORĘBA, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Timothy KIRKHOPE

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2

Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 2 – paragraph 2

2. This Directive shall not apply to the acquisition or possession of weapons and ammunition, in accordance with national law, by the armed forces, the police, ~~the~~ public authorities or by collectors and bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognised as such by the Member State in whose territory they are established. Nor shall it apply to commercial transfers of ~~weapons and ammunition of war~~products of the defence industry.

2016/04/28
Committee: IMCO

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 6

Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) are at least 18 years of age, except in relation to the possession of firearms for hunting and target shooting, provided that in that case persons of less than 18 years of age have parental permission, or are under parental guidance or the guidance of an adult with a valid firearms or hunting licence, or are within a licenced or otherwise approved training centre;deleted

2016/04/28
Committee: IMCO

2015/0269(COD)

Richard SULÍK, Jussi HALLA-AHO, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Bernd KÖLMEL, Ulrike TREBESIUS, Joachim STARBATTY, Anders VISTISEN, Jørn DOHRMANN, Bernd LUCKE, Angel DZHAMBAZKI, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Petr MACH, Ivan ŠTEFANEC, Eduard KUKAN, Edward CZESAK, Tomasz Piotr PORĘBA, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Timothy KIRKHOPE

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6

Directive 91/477/EEC
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. The acquisition and possession of firearms shall only be permitted if, inter alia, there is good cause. Member States, whilst not being under any obligation in that regard, may decide that the acquisition and possession of firearms for the purpose of, for example, hunting, target shooting, self-defence, reservist training, various scientific, technical and testing activities and re-enactment of historical events, filmmaking or historical study constitutes good cause.

2016/04/28
Committee: IMCO

Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category C – point 5

5. ~~Alarm and signal weapons~~Firearms under categories A, B and points 1 to 4 of category C, after having been converted to alarm, signal, salute ~~and~~, acoustic ~~weapons as well as replicas;~~, gas, paintball or airsoft, Flobert, or percussion lock weapons.

2016/04/29
Committee: IMCO

2015/0269(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 13 – point a – point iii

Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part II – point A – category C – point 6

~~6. Firearms under category B and points 1 to 5 of category C, after having been deactiva~~deleted.

2016/04/29
Committee: IMCO

2015/0269(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 14 – point a

Directive 91/477/EEC
Annex I – part III – point a

~~(a) point (a) is~~ deleted;

2016/04/29
Committee: IMCO

2015/0269(COD)

Richard SULÍK, Jussi HALLA-AHO, Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Ulrike TREBESIUS, Bernd KÖLMEL, Joachim STARBATTY, Anders VISTISEN, Jørn DOHRMANN, Bernd LUCKE, Angel DZHAMBAZKI, Branislav ŠKRIPEK, Petr MACH, Ivan ŠTEFANEC, Eduard KUKAN, Edward CZESAK, Tomasz Piotr PORĘBA, Hans-Olaf HENKEL, Jan ZAHRADIL, Timothy KIRKHOPE

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that parliamentary scrutiny is a fundamental condition for democratic support for EU policies; calls, therefore, on the Commission to facilitate the regular and detailed monitoring of the implementation of the DCFTA by the European Parliament.

2014/10/09
Committee: INTA

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38a. Reiterates its commitment to initiating an ordinary treaty revision procedure under Article 48 TEU with a view to proposing the changes to Article 341 TEU and Protocol 6 necessary to allow Parliament to decide on the location of its seat and its internal organisation;

2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO

Plenary speeches (36)

Reports (1)

Shadow reports (6)

Shadow opinions (7)

Institutional motions (77)

Oral questions (1)

Written questions (3)

Amendments (1027)